Odger's Funeral Diction

In “Odger’s Funeral” by Henry James, the magnificent and solemn tones reflect the brilliance of the day upon which he arrived in Piccadilly, yet the seriousness of the event he arrived on. Despite the graveness of Mr. George Odger’s funeral, the James watches from a cab window and describes the event as a sort of “serious comedy”. He watches as different social classes of people gather to create a magnificent funeral for Mr. Odger, who was a useful and honorable man. James’s diction emphasizes the joyous and whimsical time of the funeral. In the beginning Mr. Odger is described as a “useful”, “honorable”, and “humble” man. Mr. Odger was and English man who wanted to get into Parliament. He was humble because he was a shoemaker, and was described
as useful and honorable because he represented all social classes of people. When James arrives in Piccadilly, he walks into Mr. Odger’s “magnificent” and “pleasant” funeral, which created one of the “finest” days of the year. The funeral appeared to be a great popular manifestation. People pf all social classes appeared in carriages, and bands, and the line of pedestrians never came to an end. James’s choice of admiring words gives the reader a sense of what he feels as he experiences the funeral.