Authors often use literary devices to reveal the element of character in story.
Write an essay analyzing how the author uses literary devices to reveal the
character of Dewy in Betsey Byars excerpt of “The Raft.” Use evidence from the
text to support your response.
The author of “The Raft” uses the literary devices of imagery, flashback and
symbolism to reveal many aspects of Dewey’s character. Through the author’s
use of imagery the reader can infer Dewy’s character traits of diligence and
personal drive. Through the literary device of flashback the reader learns that
Dewy has a clearly defined role in his relationship with his family and through the
use of symbolism the reader understands that the raft symbolizes possibilities for
Dewy’s future, his hopes and his dreams
Byers use of imagery reveals Dewy’s character traits of diligence, steadfast
nature or drive. For example Byars describes the raft which Dewy created with
such care. In the text it says, “ It was made of nine logs lashed together with
strips of hide and was approximately six feet across and eight feet long. Atop the
logs he had laid a floor of smaller split logs, nailing them so that they formed a
platform. He had done all the work himself….” Through imagery the reader can
picture the details of the log raft, how Dewy had diligently and cleverly tied the
base of the raft together and then creatively designed a raised platform where he
could stand as he paddled his raft down the river. This image reveals Dewy’s
attention to detail and demonstrates the drive he possessed to make his raft one
of a kind. The diligence with which Dewy approached every aspect of building the
raft is revealed through Byars use of imagery.
Byars uses the literary device of flashback to reveal Dewy’s relationship with his
family and his role within his family. The author leaves the setting of the river and
flashes back to Dewy’s life on the farm with his family. In the text Byars explains
that “His family was almost machine- like in the way they worked to keep alive
and comfortable. “ Dewy’s role in his family was all consumed with his work on
the farm. For example, the text says , “Dewy felt that every hour of his day was
taken up with the land and the animals.” This shows that Dewy was limited and
constrained as a member of a family who runs a farm. Dewy needed his own
identity that was separate from his role as part of a hardworking family. In the text
it says, “The raft was a separate thing built only to give pleasure.” One can
understand Dewy’s obsession with the raft through this flashback scene that
describes Dewy’s family life. The scene that flashes back to Dewy finding an oar
for the raft show his relationship with his father. Their dialogue exchange was
very limited. His father utters the words, “Keep it” when Dewy asks permission to
keep the oar. Dewy tells his father his plans to someday make a boat and his
father just nods. This flashback scene shows that Dewy respects his father as the
authority because he asks permission to keep the oar. The flashback also
supports the idea that his father is all business and doesn’t have time to hear
about hopes and dreams. Dewy’s traits are opposite those of his father and the
reader see this through the author’s use of flashback.
Finally Byars applies the literary device of symbolism to demonstrate how the raft
symbolizes a future for Dewy. His hopes and dreams are one with the raft. For
example, the words “His was just as sturdy, just as ready to withstand the twists
of the current as those.” These words symbolize that Dewy is ready for
adventure. He is ready to move on into the future and though his path may be
unpredictable with many twists and turns Dewy looks forward to navigating these
twists and turns. he craves the adventure, the newness, the unknown that the raft
symbolizes. Byars also references the object of the oar which symbolizes the
Dewy’s hopes and dreams. When Dewy finds the oar lying across an old raft
along the river he asks his father if he can keep it. In the text Dewy says to his
father after he first discovered the oar, “ Pa one day I’ll make me a boat.” This
signifies Dewys dreams for the future in terms of his desire to leave his limited
life on the farm,
move out into the wide world and experience life.
The reader can clearly see that Byars use of the literary devices of imagery,
flashback and symbolism reveal Dewy’s diligence and drive, his relationship with
his family and his hopes and dreams for the future. Byars use of literary devices
gives the reader a clear sense of Dewy’s character in “The Raft.”