Anouilh Antigone Journal 2

4 Literary Techniques and Effects
1. Imagery-"Cold, black, beautiful, flowing water"(11). Antigone refers to water this way in frustration, after Ismene tells her to try and be a bit more understanding. Antigone's words display her passionate attitude towards life, and she is frustrated because her passion is always being suppressed.
2. Hyperbole-"A thousand arms will seize our arms. A thousand breaths will breathe into our faces"(Anouilh 12). Ismene describes what she imagines will happen if they disobey Creon and he sends his army to discipline them. While a thousand soldiers will most likely not be sent to stop two young girls, this hyperbole exaggerates Ismene's fear of disobeying rules.
3. Metaphor-"A little young for what, my kitten?"(Anouilh 14). The nurse responds to Antigone's self-pity by trying to console her with affectionate words. While the nurse sees this name as merely a term of endearment, Antigone resents being viewed as a frail, delicate creature because she feels she cannot achieve anything because of this image.
4. Simile-"I'm sallow, and I'm scrawny. Ismene is pink and golden. She's like a fruit"(17). Antigone compares her sister to a fruit to emphasize that she is healthy, available for being picked(presumably by a man), and attractive. Antigone contrasts herself to Ismene for a few reasons: One is to express her confusion that Haemon chose to marry her instead of Ismene, when Ismene is obviously more attractive. She also does this as a way to slyly find out Haemon's affections for her.