A Comparison of Literary Styles in Miguel Street and Milk Under Wood.
Every piece of poetry and prose has its own unique characteristics from the beginning to end. Most pieces of literature follow a standard form, but as the author or poet adds their own ideas it becomes an entertaining or educational experience. As is the case with V. S Naipaul=s Miguel Street and Dylan Thomas= Milk Under Wood. A compression dealing with narrative and structural style shows that the two have some similarities for example themes as well as some differences like the use of time. Both, Naipaul and Thomas, have their own sense of writing style which contributes to the overall effect of their work. .
Miguel Street is a collection of memoirs written by V. S Naipaul which discusses Naipaul=s life and eventually accumulates to give an overall portrait of Miguel Street. Miguel Street is based on a street that is housed by a gang of people whom we hear about through Naipaul=s eyes. The characters are discussed, in detail, one by one as they are remembered by Naipaul. The first stories occur during Naipaul=s childhood and they continue to age as Naipaul does. Bogart, a bigamist, is the first character described, followed by Popo who happens to be a thief and a carpenter to Elias who aspires to become a doctor (Naipaul 31). Through the discussion of the people around Naipaul, we learn about him and the environment that he grew up in. Through the abuse and the poverty, we realize the need to succeed that Naipaul and his friends have. The issue of stereotypes and separation of social classes shows the struggle that Naipaul had to face and overcome to survive. Naipaul gets strength in character as well as understanding and maturity through his friends, family and home.
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Naipaul=s format of personal portraits, give his readers a detailed look at those who surround and influence him. Although the reader is introduced to many characters, the reader only get Naipaul=s personal point of view as well as his thoughts and opinions since Miguel Street is based on his recollections of the past.
