Final answer:
When Dickens writes that 'hunger stared down the street,' he uses personification, a literary device that assigns human traits to non-human entities. This is part of Dickens' vivid and detailed narrative style, which aims to make social issues like poverty feel more immediate and relatable to the reader.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Dickens writes that "hunger stared down the street," he is employing the literary device known as personification. Personification is a figure of speech where human characteristics are attributed to non-human entities. In this case, hunger, which is a condition or feeling, is depicted as having the ability to stare, which is a human action, suggesting a palpable presence on the street. This device is effective in creating a vivid image in the reader's mind, enhancing the overall sensory experience.
Dickens' style, known for its richness in detail and vivid descriptions, frequently uses personification to bring social issues like poverty to life. By using personification, he is not only able to make the abstract concept of hunger more relatable and immediate, but also to garner empathy from the reader for the social conditions he depicts. The impact of such a literary strategy is that it paints a picture so vivid and detailed that the reader can almost perceive the scene with their senses, which is a hallmark of Dickens' narrative style.