In Class Essay #3

In Ann Petry's novel The Street, Petry establishes a negative connotation and association with the urban setting. Petry employs a lot of direct characterization and imagery to help convey this sense of bleakness. Lutie feels as if the world is against her and the urban setting is doing nothing but bringing her down. Petry wisely establishes this urban setting with literary devices to help convey her message. Petry uses personification, imagery, and direct characterization to help convey the negative view that Lutie has on her urban surroundings.