Owen Wister’s novel The Virginian Essay

One of the strong points of Owen Wister’s western novel is in fact the manner by which the story was conveyed.  Ã‚   The language used to narrate the novel and to deliver the lines of each character truly played a significant part in the development of the story. As I was carefully taking in the imperative social issues that lie beneath Wister’s famous work of western fiction, I could not help but examine the play of words.   According to my own observation, the skilful use of language in The Virginian affected the novel in three ways: making the story entertaining and understandable, embodying well the feelings of the characters, and conveying the traits of the characters. Language That’s Easy to Understand As a whole, I found the language very conversational.   Though the setting is early 20th century America, the conversations among the characters are not that stiff.   The spoken language is what Wister used in delivering the lines of every character.   In one of the scenes from Chapter XI: You’re Going to Love Me Before We Get Through, I was delighted by the conversation between the Virginian and Molly Wood primarily because of the chatty nature of the language used. â€Å"And I would not be oversteppin’ for the world. I’ll go away if yu’ want.† (Wister, 1903, p.130) This is one of the lines of the Virginian.  Ã‚   Even readers from this age could easily capture the thoughts of the Virginian through such kind of language.   Aside from understanding the text, readers may take pleasure in reading the lines since they can relate to the conversational nature of the statements. Embodiment of the Feelings and Traits of the Characters Words are a powerful way of unleashing the true nature and emotions of a person.   In the Virginina and Molly’s conversation, the features of the two characters are shown.   â€Å"That’s all square enough. You’re goin’ to love me before we get through. I wish yu’d come a-ridin’, ma’am.† (Wister, 1903, p.133)   This line reveals the concealed affection of the Virginian for Molly.   Although readers, and even Molly for that matter, may take this straightforward admission as just another witty response from the Virginian, the words used will definitely give a clue of the Virginian’s feelings. â€Å"Dear, dear, dear! So I’m going to love you? How will you do it? I know men think that they only need to sit and look strong and make chests at a girl†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Wister, 1903, p.133)   This is the powerful reply of Molly to the Virginian’s emotion-filled statement.   The language helped convey Molly’s hesitant yet persisting fondness of the Virginian.   Behind her question â€Å"So I’m going to love you? How will you do it?† is a strong challenge she wants the Virginian to take seriously. Making Known the Traits of the Characters   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Why, I mean,† said he, easily, sitting down near the door, â€Å"that it’s Sunday. School don’t hinder yu’ from enjoyin’ a ride to-day. You’ll teach the kids all the better for it to-morro’, ma’am. Maybe it’s your duty.† (Wister, 1903, p.130)   This is one example of how language presented the traits of the Virginian to the readers.   The choice of words for the character of the Virginian is suited to his nature as a gentleman who shows utmost concern for a lady. Reference: Wister, O. (1903) The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains. New York: The Macmillan Company