Nicole Jahromi

Ms. Wing

Pre Ap English Period 6

9/29

Barrio writes, “He ” (stopped and walked to the farthest end of the first row for some

water, raise the dented dipper from the route thing, drink the holy water in great globes so he

wouldn't have to save her it's tastelessness.” (1) Barrio uses a mix of independent and

dependant clauses to add more details and give a variety to his writing. He uses one Raymond

Barrio’s excerpt from The Plum Plum Pickers Barrio’s depicts the life of a migrant workers

struggling to maintain his humility. Barrio’s use of colloquial diction and imagery, varied syntax,

and sardonic tone create a moment of epiphany in one man’s life.

Raymond Barrio ’s uses colloquial diction and imagery to deepen the text’s meaning and

add ton the audience’s reading experience. Barrio writes, “.... they just didn’t give a shit how that

migratory scum lived.” (4) This portrays colloquial diction by showing the informality in his

writing. Barrio uses words such as “shit” and “migratory scum” to display how the higher

authority figures disrespect the workers. Imagery is shown when Barrio writes, “No matter which

way he turned, he was trapped in an endless maze of apricot trees as though forever, neat rows

of them, neatly planted, row after row, just like the blackest bars on the jails of hell”

(1).Raymond Barrio uses great imagery in this sentence to enable the audience to picture the

scene. Writing in such detail allows the audience to be a part of the scene in order to give them

a sense of the adrenaline that the character must be feeling. Barrio’s use of syntax goes hand

in hand with the diction and imagery that is used.

Raymond Barrio uses a varied syntax to present simple ideas in a more complex way. One

example is when Barrio writes, “Sandy dreams. Cool nights. Cold drinks.” (3) Barrio uses

fragments to emphasize emotions. to emphasize setting. By using these short abrupt fragments

back to back, the author shines more attention on of the mood of the paragraph, showing the

simplicity, while also conveying the happiness that comes with the simplicity. independent

clause and two dependent clauses to give a deeper meaning to the text by adding more

descriptive clauses. The use of syntax plays a role in his tone.

Barrio uses sardonic tone to imply that the workers are being marked by their employers.

For example, he writes, “ still grinning, knowing, everyone is realizing that he had the upper

hand, that would mean a loss of two or three dollars out of each pickers pay that day, a huge

windfall for Morales.” (10) Barrio uses the words “still grinning” inn this to add a mocking tone to

the paragraph. By adding this, barrio implies that Morales is enjoying taking their money.

Another example of his sardonic tone is, "Now, announced Morales at last, and his friendliest

tone, ‘I must take two cents from every pocket. I am sorry. There was a miscalculation.

Everybody understands. Everybody?’ He slid his eyes around, smiling, palms up.” This displays

mockery because despite him having to deliver bad news, he is smiling and acting innocent by

putting his “palms up”. Barrio’s use of sardonic tone adds a deeper layer of meaning behind the

text.

Raymond Barrio uses a combination of colloquial diction, varied syntax, and sardonic

tone too deepen the meaning, as well as add more detail to the text. By adding details s

meaning, the audience can better relate to the protagonist.