Question

Read the excerpt below and answer the question. It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend. He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much. The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells. I was so pleased to see him that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand. How does the use of the word wringing rather than shaking impact the story?

Answer 1

It gives more charcter and empahasis on the fact that he missed him, as well as uses imagery

Answer 2

The reason why the author preferred to use the word "wringing" rather than the word "shaking" is because of the word's connotations. The use of this word conveys an excitement at seeing the man. It implies that the speaker held unto the man's hand tightly and with great pleasure. It also implies a sense of familiarity that differs from the formality of "shaking" someone's hand. Therefore, the use of the word contributes to the tone and the mood of the story.