comment on language / style

Paley uses dialogue and imagery to enhance the exploration of Peter’s character and create more vivid descriptive language. An example of the latter arises during Peter’s first interaction with Judy in the story. In his dialogue, Peter refers to Judy as his “pussycat” (43). After this, the narrator describes Peter placing Judy down on her “hind legs” (44). The continuity between the dialogue and the narration creates an immersive image, which presents Judy as endearing and Peter as paternal. The connection between the dialogue and narration also supports the aforementioned interpretation that Peter and the narrator are one and the same.