Day of Infamy By Walter Lord
By: Grady Tillotson #4 A Lit Device Dictionary
Allusion
"Admiral Kimmel asked his operations officer, Captain Charles McMorris, what the chances were of a surprise attack on Honolulu, the captain firmly replied,'None'"(Lord 6) This evidence shows that McMorris gave Kimmel and many other people false confidence that they were all going to be fine when in reality they were all going to be ambushed. Its significance is that it gave people a false sense of security.
Analogy
"He noticed that, unlike most American planes, these had fixed landing gear.... Here come some planes with the red ball showing ....They were approaching in a highly unusual manner (Lord 63) This evidence proves that the spotters were so confused they were comparing the red ball and flying pattern to those of the U.S.S.R. planes.
Comic Relief
In Chapter IX the title is called "You Don't Wear a Tie to War"(Lord 117). This shows that the author is attempting to use comic relief to lighten the mood that thousands of U.S. sailors are dying.
Foil
To the prevent the Success; frustrate; balk
"All hands, general quarters. Air raid! This is no drill!" (Lord 67). The Japanese military is foiling Americas plans by launching an attack on a huge collection of Americas battleships cruisers and aircraft carriers. After this day the two countries are at each others throats throughout the rest of the war.
Foreshadowing
"Admiral Kimmel asked his operations officer, Captain Charles McMorris, what the chances were of a surprise attack on Honolulu were, the captain firmly replied, 'None'"(Lord 6). This show that Kimmel was attempting to look into the future and prerdict what the possibilty that the axis powers would attempt a surpise attack but was shot down by his captain.
Imagery
The workshops, the big hammerhead crane, all the paraphernalia of the navy's great Hawaiian base were hidden by the night; the day time clatter was gone; only the pretty things were left- the moonlight... the dance music that drifted from the club... the lights of the Pacific Fleet that shimmered across the harbor"(Lord 1). This proves that the author started the book off by using imagery to describe that it was night and everything glistened or was hidden.
Theme
"The workshops, the big hammered crane, all the paraphernalia of the Navy's great Hawaiian base were hidden by the night; the daytime...( Lord 1). This shows the theme of the night and shimmering town.
Tragedy
"Of the 2403..."(Lord 212). This shows a lot of U.S. Navy men and women and civilians died.
Tragic War Hero
"...Lieutenant Goepner had a far more harrowing thought"(Lord 38). This quote is not very significant however it shows Goepner and because of him if if his actions and news would have actually been acted upon then thousands of Americans lives could have been saved.