Essay Example on The Magic 8 Ball: Melissa & Elizabeth's Tale of Love & Fate

Introduction

The author - Kimberly Pau, enjoys the use of different literary devices that draws readers' attention as well as bringing out her ideas about the topic. Pau is keen on observing literary devices throughout this comic that makes it distinguishable from plays. For instance, she employs the use of understatements, repetitions, juxtaposes, taboo, and overstatement to seek attention and humor from the reader. This paper lays out an interpretation of magic 8 ball comedy in which various literal devices used in the work will be unveiled.

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Literal Devices Used

She creates an understatement in describing the dressing and outfit of both the girls. In such, she describes them to be in quite expensive sexy night attires, which somewhat were unflattering (Pau 1). Such comfy attires expect to find them more flattering than in the author's description. The author emphasizes the comedy by repeating similar words in a statement. When Mellissa is trying to bring out a conversation with her niece Elizabeth, she uses a repetitive phrases - "I know. Oh jeez. Ok, I know. I know to trust you. I could just trust you, couldn't I? (Pau 2)" The word "I know" seems to be intentionally repeated to bring in readers' minds into the topic.

The Author draws more contradicting statements in comedy to bring humor in a juxtaposing way. The Magic 8 Ball V.O reply the question about having a pizza is contradicting in such that they are supposed not to order any pizza. Ironically, Mellissa responds that having no pizza it out of their best interest. There is humor in statement, Melissa seems not to be contented with the Magic 8 Ball answer but choose to admit in ironic tone that it is out for their best interest (Pau 2).

Accordingly, the use of taboo in the comic is evident. It is more humorous how Mellissa describes their partner as with the desire to indulge in intercourse with themselves more than they do with them (Pau 3). Although it is uneasy to listen to her wording, it creates a sense of engagement to the readers as it brings out the truth about her feelings towards their lovers. There is further use of taboo language in the comic that creates humor to the reader; referring to the question about the love state of Elizabeth after experiencing a relationship with a gay partner, it is uncommon for such word (gay) to be used in an open conversation. When Mellissa is asked if she would like to know if she will die with her partner James, the author uses an overstatement to show her response - I do not want to be tainted with Voodoo.

In that statement, seeking from the magic 8 balls about James seems to contaminate her - she does not believe in what the ball is revealing. Besides, when Melisa consults the magic ball if Elizabeth blames her for her lack of sex appeal, Elizabeth quickly responds - "it's because of your chopstick for legs!" these are an overstatement intentionally crafted by the author to bring humor in the comic. Still, the writer is keen on observing alliteration in her work. For instance, responding to Elizabeth's question on how Melissa would react if she ever jumps from the rooftop, alliteration is evident - Oh jeez, oh crap, oh, oh, of course, I would be devastated. She repeats the phrase Oh consecutively in her statement creating a rhythmic stylish which is engaging.

Interpretation

The author introduces the comedy stylishly by describing conditions. The short description of the character provides a satisfactory overview of the direction of the comedy. There is an increased critic on how the society views an outer context that what the real context is, for instance, the clothes worn by the girls may look unfaltering just by the look of eyes, however, a critical analysis reveals the sophistication of the attire. The baseline of the comedy is rooted in the judgment. The society is hasty to judge without much consideration, this brings the essence of magic 8 balls in clarifying situation before making a decision. An instance in the comedy is when Melisa jumps to a conclusion about their partners about desiring to make love to each other than to them without having a proof. Morals in the society are seen to be eroded with plain use of taboo words throughout their conversation.

Work Cited

Pau, Kimberly. The Magic 8 Ball. A lights up on 20 years old girl's bedroom. New York City collective Ouroboros Co., 2012.