Descriptive Narrative Response- "Chronicle of an American Execution"

Dan Barry’s use of descriptive language not only adds suspense to the story but also allows the reader to understand/perceive the events in his/her mind through the use of imagery. For example, one can actually imagine Mr. Holton as a child in a car seat. The details that the author uses, such as time, provide a plot so that the story can be more suspenseful. His simple yet vivid language allows the reader to sense and see the story, such as when salty water streams down his face from the sponge and wets his shirt. He uses language in a way that all readers can comprehend such as when he describes the power cable that’s similar to our TV cable. The imagery provides the mood and view of the scene. For example, the description of the execution procedure makes the mood of the story gloomy and depressing. His use of dialogue lets the reader understand more about Holton’s character such as when the officers try to dry him and he says, “ain’t gonna matter anyways”. This may show how Holton doesn’t care anymore about anything because his life is about to end and nothing matters when it comes to death. The use of similes allows readers to imagine how the character looks like and what is happening, such as when he jerks up and down like a sack of earth. Dan Barry’s descriptive language builds up suspense and imagination.