The Zoo Story post2

“…and a small strongbox without a lock which has in it…what? Rocks! Some rocks…sea-rounded rocks I picked up on the beach when I was a kid.”
The quote chosen from the play “The Zoo Story” by Edward Albee is very important to the story for many reasons. This statement not only holds incredible symbolic and metaphorical context but opens interpretations for the reader to learn about one for the main characters, Jerry. These literary and rhetorical devices help emphasize the importance of this statement to the play as a whole.
The character who said this line, Jerry, is so far known to the reader as a very interesting character who drives the plot forward and brings a large amount of existentialist ideas to the play. These components make the reader wonder what Jerry’s motivation for such actions can be and what lies beneath his wild character. The quotation reveals why Jerry could act the way he does and Edward Albee does this by using symbolic and metaphorical devices. The strongbox Jerry describes symbolizes his pride and dignity which covers up his past issues which are substituted with “rocks.” Also the fact that Jerry says the strongbox does not have a lock on it indicates that Jerry does in fact want to express his feelings somebody just has to “open him up.” The rocks Jerry portrays symbolizes both his past and innocence. The rocks that were found as a child represent his childhood innocence and simplicity. Albee includes these devices to foreshadow what the reader will find out next and to draw attention to the statement.
Another very important device used in this sentence is syntax. The structure of the quote encourages the reader to pay special attention to the sentence. Edward Albee does this by using repetition of the word “rocks” and by switching between long and short sentences. The variation between long and short sentences draws attention to the statement which therefore emphasizes to the reader the significance of the line. Also, the breaks between the phrases and lines in the sentence give the statement a dramatic effect to keep the reader interested. All these syntactical techniques draw the reader to this sentiment and increases their attention which will help them notice the significance of the quote.
Therefore, the quotation from the play “The Zoo Story” by Edward Albee has important meaning which contributes to the play as a whole. Albee includes various devices such as symbolism and syntax to emphasis the importance of the statement. The reader obtains a better understanding of Jerry’s past and character which can help them foreshadow what will happen next in the play.