Gah, this sentence is incredible! I love using em dashes to propel the reader forward in a sentence. But the way Poe uses a series of them creates a sense of breathlessness that only adds to the jarring nature of the sentence's content (which you've disseminated so beautifully). I can see this architecture making for a killer final sentence of an essay.
I looked at the videos before me – upon the dead child in her father’s arms – upon his cheek on her forehead – upon her vacant eyes – upon her little bun affixed by a pink scrunchy – upon the bruises on her forehead and cheek – upon a once impudent chin – upon her little body encased in a sheet of plastic – with an utter devastation that my cries could no release – I beat my chest like a madwoman, willing myself pain so that the hurt in my heart could somewhat pale in comparison.
Gah, this sentence is incredible! I love using em dashes to propel the reader forward in a sentence. But the way Poe uses a series of them creates a sense of breathlessness that only adds to the jarring nature of the sentence's content (which you've disseminated so beautifully). I can see this architecture making for a killer final sentence of an essay.
It's a fantastic sentence! I've already used some of the ideas of the architecture in a work-in-progress novel.
I looked at the videos before me – upon the dead child in her father’s arms – upon his cheek on her forehead – upon her vacant eyes – upon her little bun affixed by a pink scrunchy – upon the bruises on her forehead and cheek – upon a once impudent chin – upon her little body encased in a sheet of plastic – with an utter devastation that my cries could no release – I beat my chest like a madwoman, willing myself pain so that the hurt in my heart could somewhat pale in comparison.
I am “a little” in love with the em dash. I really have to monitor myself. I love the impact it can impart!