A Hanging
In literature such as a novel, short story, and poem are usually included literary devices to
portray more picture for the audience or reader to feel what the author is trying to express. In this
case, A Hanging, a short story that was written by the famous author George Orwell, consists of
literary devices that could be seen easily in the modern literature which is ironic language and
symbolism. The focus of this story will be capital punishment, which is reflected noticeably through
various literary devices. Therefore, Orwell expressed his thoughts about capital punishment; using
ironic language and symbolism.
By using ironic language, Orwell is capable to clarify his thoughts toward the capital
punishment. There are several proofs that the usage of irony assists Orwells opinion. The story
mentioned We set out for the gallows holding the prisoner As though at once pushing and
supporting him this part of the story is ironic because all of the prisoners are about to get executed
and the guards are helping them get to the gallows which sounds ironic. The person who is about to
get killed does not want help for them to get killed. Another quote that can be an evidence of usage
of irony is Oh, kill him quickly, get it over, stop that abominable noise! this quote refers to one of
a guard that shows how he feels about humans life. Human should have a right to choose whether
to lived or died. However, the guard shows no sympathy to the prisoner and say like humans life is
priceless. Additionally, the superintendent is the character that Orwell included to his irony.
Normally, the superintendent is the one who cures people but in this story, their job is to execute the
prisoner. Moreover, In A hanging the superintendent used a stick and poke it to the died body that
hanged on the gallows and said: Hes all right. It is ironic because the superintendent said that the
died body is alright which the truth is the prisoners neck was snapped, that is not alright. The
superintendent was trying to say that the prisoner was completely dead. As shown above, ironic
language help Orwell clear his idea about capital punishment.
The usage of symbolism assists Orwells point of view about capital punishment. Orwell
uses a dog as a symbol to refer to his conscience. A dog has been mentioned in the story for many
time. Every time that a dog appears in the story, it will show Orwells conscience. For instance, the
story quoted that It had made a dash for the prisoner, and jumping up tried to lick his face. The
dog licking the prisoners face can be referred to Orwells sympathy that he has for the prisoner. He
might think that that prisoner should have a chance to live even though they might have committed
something. Not only a dog that has been utilised as a symbol in the story but also a fish too. A fish
in this story is represented a man. Orwell quoted that It was like a handling a fish which is still
alive and may jump back into the water But he stood quite unresisting. He is trying to refer that a
man is like a fish that will do whatever it takes to survive but in this case, the prisoner does not
resist to get executed. Furthermore, as stated above puddle and water as a symbol of life. The word
has been also referred in the quote In spite of the men who gripped him by each shoulder, he
stepped slightly aside to avoid a puddle on the path. The purpose of Orwell symbolise puddle as a
symbol of life in the quote is he is trying to say that the prisoner accepted his death, so he stepped
away from the puddle. As can be seen, Orwells point of view has been supported by using
symbolism.
Ultimately, the essential intention of Orwell writing this story is to show how he thinks
about capital punishment. To create more tension into the story, he includes literary devices such as
irony and symbolism to describe the situation that he faced as seen above. As a consequence,
Orwell successfully cleared his perspective toward capital punishment by using ironic language and
symbolism.
