Beneficent uses of characterisation, personification, contrasts, comparisons, similes, metaphors and phonology are used in this passage to create a much more expropriating piece of writing.
From the passage we can tell that the narrator has a deep passion for Greece and that he is happy to leave Alexandria. We can tell this by the narrator using phrases such as, 'pure Mediterranean blueness' to describe himself heading towards Greece and the line, 'burst through the misty curtain of atmosphere the lies forever over Mareotis' fully describes the dull life that lives in Egypt. The narrator's character give us the impression that he is quite a romantic person. This is shown when Lawrence Durrell talks about images of 'statues', 'waterless islands' 'grey windmills' and 'olive trees'.
Uses of personification are used during the whole of this passage. An example of personification in this section is when passengers can hear the 'snarling of the engines' and the engines 'sobs and grunts'. In reality an engine can't make such noises, as these noises can only be made by a person. This uses of words is very effective as the engine is now seen as being upset and angry during the tragic storm which Lawrence Durrell and his shipmates encounter during their sea crossing.
A good use on contrast is used when Lawrence Durrell juxtaposes the differences between Egypt and Greece. As the motor-launch leaves Egypt it is said that the motor-launch had 'burst through the misty curtain of atmosphere'. This tells us that Alexandria in Egypt is seen as being a dirty and polluted area. We then get a clean and beautiful picture of the 'pure Mediterranean blueness' and the 'waterless islands and grey windmills, to the olive-tress and the statues'. Compared to the before image of Alexandria, Greece is seen as being a very romantic and ravishing place.
Use of language such as similes and metaphors are used quite often through this text. An example of a simile that gives us a good impression on Lawrence Durrell's journey is when the storm in which the motor-launch ended up is described as 'something like the eruption of a volcano.' This is very effective as feeling and picture of the storm is so vivid. The use of meteaphors are also used during the storm scene. The metaphor reads 'gloosy valleys'. This gives us a grand picture of the view of sea from the motor-launch when over the Mediterranian. A good use of metaphors and similes helps the audience get a better idea of Lawrence Durrell's journey.
The journey after the storm is seen as beginning very rough and uncomportable. A good use of alliteration, similes and time pharases are used to bring an end to this magical journey. Alliteration is used to describe the sound of the sea. It is said that the sea 'suggested the noise of a giant grinding his teeth'. I think that this gives the journey a fairy-tale feel, which is a good idea as it breaks down the harshness of the evil storm. Allieration is also used in an onomatapoeic way. The slaps of the waves are descirbed as being 'like a punch to the solar plexus'. This is seen a being quite a slapstick image aswell as being quite scabrous by descrbing the waves.
In conclusion, I think that Lawrence Durrell Fully describes his 'Island Crossing' in very good detail.
Robyn Atkinson 11i
His use of language is very sensational and gives us, the audience, an extremely vivid feel of the crossing on the motor-launch. The storm is particularly very dramatic and visual. Every moment is described and I doubt that a single feeling, sound or things were missed out.