Question

Read the excerpt from Enrique’s Journey.

Enrique greets the dawn without incident. The stars recede. The sky lightens behind the mountains to the east, and mist rises off the fields on both sides of the tracks. Men trot by on burros with tin milk containers strapped to their saddles, starting their morning deliveries.

Which narrative technique does the author include in this excerpt, and how does it support the author’s purpose?

The author uses dialogue to evoke a sense of happiness.
The author uses characterization to show bitter feelings.
The author uses structure to show the sequence of events.
The author uses setting to show a sense of accomplishment.

Answer 1

The author uses setting to show a sense of accomplishment.

The excerpt focuses on sensory details of morning (stars receding, sky lightening, mist rising, men on burros) and the line “Enrique greets the dawn without incident,” using the calm, routine setting to emphasize that Enrique has made it through the night safely — a small victory. Dialogue and bitter characterization aren’t present, and although events are described in order, the dominant technique is the evocative setting that reinforces his success.