Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences

Thesis statement

No:

There are many themes and literary devices in The Sound of Waves, but the one that popped out at me were nature, vivid imagery, contrasting descriptions, and personification.

Yes:

The noblest characters in Yukio Mishima’s The Sound of Waves have close ties to nature, and vivid imagery, contrasting descriptions, and personification serve to clarify the many ways in which nature works in the lives of the character.

Topic sentence:

No: The first motif that he uses is vivid imagery and contrast.

Yes: Shinji’s connection to nature is expressed through calm, vivid imagery and by contrasting Shinji with a typical city boy.

Shinji’s connection to nature is expressed through calm, vivid imagery and by contrasting Shinji with a typical city boy. Because Shinji is not concerned with his ego and is so close to nature, he is not easily offended, and he recovers quickly from offenses or harm. When he discovers that he will no longer have the opportunity to see his beloved, Hatsue, he is not devastated or depressed. Instead the “gentle waves” calm “his heart” and his work on the ocean creates a “place of matchless rest.” Furthermore, because Shinji lacks an easily offended ego, he is not disturbed when his boss, Jukichi, teases him about his relationship with Hatsua. Since he is “not sensitive and easily wounded the way a city boy ” would be, Shinji is able to accept his friend’s good-hearted ribbing with good spirits. As a result, Jukichi is even more willing to help Shinji, and he does.

No:

The next literary device that has to do with nature is personification.

Yes:

Not only does Shinji have a personal relationship and “consummate accord” with nature, but nature takes on human characteristics, making Shinji’s relationship with nature even more personal and loving.