Clavis Libri

Literary device

Sensory imagery

A description that appeals to the senses (what is seen, heard, smelled, tasted or touched) and makes the reader perceive the scene, not just understand it.

In The Brothers Karamazov

I do not want, after all, the mother to embrace the executioner who made the dogs tear her son to pieces! She has no right to forgive him!

The mother embracing the executioner who had the dogs tear her son apart places a physical and unbearable scene before the eyes. The concrete image makes the reader feel the weight of the refusal before understanding the argument.

Book V: Pro and Contra, Ivan to Alyosha, in the tavern

he suddenly approaches the old man in silence and gently kisses his bloodless lips of ninety years. That is the whole answer.
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Book V: Pro and Contra, Ivan to Alyosha, on the poem's ending

Daddy, when they cover my little grave, crumble a crust of bread on it so the sparrows come; I will hear that they have come, and it will be cheerful for me that I am not lying alone.
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Epilogue: Ilyusha's funeral, Ilyusha to his father, before dying, recalled on the day of the funeral

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