AP Lit Q1 Final

In Waniek’s “The Century Quilt”, the author’s purpose is to show the reader why this particular quilt is so important to her. The extensive important behind the quilt is portrayed very convincingly with the use of literary devices such as imagery (colors), vivid descriptions of certain details, and the most dominant device being a reminiscent tone. These devices work together to present a very clear understanding of how the author feels towards her century quilt. This particular poem doesn’t follow any specific rhyme scheme or any tight outline in general. So it comes off as more narrative because it truly feels like the author is speaking from her heart as she talks about the quilt, she’s telling her story. However, with the way each line is broken off, the reader has something to think about after reading each set of lines. Such as “I think I’d have good dreams/for a hundred years under this quilt” (21-22) is a very clear implication of how safe this quilt makes her feel when she’s using it. There’s just a feeling of warmth attached to it that she simply can’t find in any other item she owns. In the beginning of the piece when she talks about the century quilt, she sounds as if she’s more excited about Meema’s visit because she’s aware she’ll bring the quilt along with her. Then in the next line she mentions falling asleep underneath an army green blanket that was issued to her father by Supply. When talking about her dad’s army blanket, she simply states what the color of the blanket is but nothing else. The century quilt however, the author knows everything about it from what every inch of the detailing looks like, to all the experiences she’s had with it that have ended up being some of her most favorite memories now. Although it’s an inanimate object, the author’s excitement when she talks about the century quilt is almost tangible. When it comes to the use of imagery, the main source Waniek uses is colors. To her, Meema’s blanket is more fun and