Albert Camus' essay "The Myth of Sisyphus" uses
allusion, analogy, ethical appeal (ethos), juxtaposition, and
imagery:
Allusion:
he obviously alludes to the Greek myth of Sisyphus, as well as
Oedipus and Dostoevsky's Kirolv as other absurd
heroes:
Then
a tremendous remark rings out: "Despite so many ordeals, my advanced age and the
nobility of my soul make me conclude that all is well." Sophocles' Edipus, like
Dostoevsky's Kirilov, thus gives the recipe for the absurd victory. Ancient wisdom
confirms modern
heroism.
Analogy:
he compares Sisyphus to the absurd hero, the rock to work, and the gods to deterministic
external forces which limit
freedom.
Ethos: he uses moral
argument and counterargument to show how Sisyphus loves life, hates death, and scorns
the gods, thereby getting victory over his fate and
punishmnet.
Juxtaposition: he
contrasts man vs. god, freedom vs. punishment, life vs. punishment, sun and water vs.
Hades. All of his juxtaposed imagery supports life over death and freedom over
punishment.
Imagery: he uses
natural, visual imagery to create an emotional response for the reader: "mountain,"
"sun," "water"--all of which affirm life on earth instead of death and
suffering.
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