Ascension in the Moonlight Response

Ascension in the Moonlight incorporates a theme of appreciating unexpected blessings, received through luck and the kindness of others. Winchester accomplished this through his utilization of rhetorical devices such as imagery, repetition, and tricolons. His imagery in describing the scene on the beach, labelling it an “astonishing grand conjunction,” details his feelings of being “blessed beyond belief, beyond all understanding.” Winchester emphasizes his luck to be present during these events in a tricolon writing, “Lucky to be in such a place. Lucky to see such things. And luckiest of all to meet such very kind people.” Paul and Angela’s extreme kindness coupled with Winchester’s luck in experiencing such a multitude of awe-striking events exposed his extreme gratitude in that single instant on the beach. Winchester reinforces the theme of appreciating such unexpected luck and kindness through his repetition in the rhetorical question, “Wherever would you [Winchester] be. . . without all their kindness, and without all this luck?”