As the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." This sentiment is reflected in the characters of Salvage the Bones as they face the challenges of poverty and racism and the looming threat of Hurricane Katrina. Through their struggles, we see their resilience and the indomitable nature of the human spirit. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In the novel Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward, the author uses a variety of literary devices to convey the novel's themes and create a visceral, realistic depiction of the characters' lives. The novel is set on the Gulf Coast, in the days before Hurricane Katrina and tells the story of a poor African-American family, the Batistes, who live in the fictional town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi. The novel explores themes of poverty, race, family, and the destructive power of nature. Through the use of stream-of-consciousness narration, symbolism, imagery, foreshadowing, and irony, the author is able to create a powerful and moving portrait of the characters and their experiences. One of the most important literary devices used in the novel is stream-of-consciousness narration. The novel is narrated from the point of view of the main protagonist, Esch, and her thoughts and feelings are presented in real time, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of her character and the impact of poverty and racism on her life. For example, Esch's thoughts on her poverty are clearly represented when she describes the breakfast they ate: "For breakfast we had grits and sugar, the only things left in the house. My stomach growls with hunger, but I'm too proud to ask to know moreover." Another important literary device employed in Salvage the Bones is symbolism. The novel uses symbolism to convey deeper themes, such as the characters' relationship to the land and the cyclical nature of life and death. For example, the recurring image of the dog fighting ring symbolizes the brutal cycle of poverty and violence in which the characters are trapped. "The ring is a secret, underground world where men gather to gamble and fight their dogs. Skeetah's dogs are his only source of pride and joy, and they are also a symbol of the cycle of violence and poverty surrounding the Batiste family." Imagery is also used extensively in the novel to create a realistic depiction of the characters' lives and the setting. The images are used to convey the harsh reality of poverty, such as the dilapidated house, lack of food and the poverty of the area. For example, "The house is falling down around us. The roof is leaking and the floorboards are buckling. The pipes are bursting in the freezing cold and the toilet isn't flushing properly." Katrina and the devastation it will cause. This literary device helps build tension and create a sense of impending doom. For example: "The sky is a sickly green, the color of pus. The wind is picking up and I feel the first drops of rain on my face." Finally, irony is used in the novel to counter the characters' expectations. with the reality of their situation. For example, Skeetah's pitbull China is pregnant and is worried about her and her puppies, but in reality the hurricane is about to hit and her dog is the last thing she should worry about. "Skeetah worries about China and her puppies, but the hurricane is coming and her dog is the last thing she should worry about." Please note: this is just an example. Get a document now.