Eleven

Repetition, the recurring use of words and phrases, is a literary device that shows emphasis. Repetition is used in “Eleven” to showcase Rachel’s anxiety and to indicate immaturity. When she thinks about how the sweater does not belong to her, she thinks, “not mine, not mine,” and reminds herself that she is “eleven, eleven,” and that everyone will sing “Happy birthday, happy birthday to you” (Paragraph 12). The repetition here—in the text’s the rising action—highlights Rachel’s immaturity, as childish chants are the only way she can articulate her distress.

In contrast, repetition with slight deviations show Rachel’s growth in the story. For example, Rachel repeatedly counts all the ages she has been so far. In the opening paragraph, she reflects on how “when you’re eleven, you’re also ten, and nine, and eight, and seven, and six, and five, and four, and three, and two, and one” (Paragraph 1). This extended parallel structure, with “and” preceding every age, highlights Rachel’s youthful way of reflecting on the aging process. This rundown of ages repeats twice more, in the climax when Mrs. Price forces Rachel to wear the sweater and in the conclusion.