How can you determine when to use a semicolon

What type of literary device is demonstrated in this passage from the monkeys paw father and son

Which two passages in this excerpt from the death of ivan illych does leo tolstoy use to suggest that ivan ilych feels like his life is slipping away from him? "what's the use? it makes no difference," he said to himself, staring with wide-open eyes into the darkness. "death. yes, death. and none of them knows or wishes to know it, and they have no pity for me. now they are playing." (he heard through the door the distant sound of a song and its accompaniment.) "it's all the same to them, but they will die too! fools! i first, and they later, but it will be the same for them. and now they are merry . . the beasts! " anger choked him and he was agonizingly, unbearably miserable. "it is impossible that all men have been doomed to suffer this awful horror! " he raised himself. "something must be wrong. i must calm myself—must think it all over from the beginning." and he again began thinking. "yes, the beginning of my illness: i knocked my side, but i was still quite well that day and the next. it hurt a little, then rather more. i saw the doctors, then followed despondency and anguish, more doctors, and i drew nearer to the abyss. my strength grew less and i kept coming nearer and nearer, and now i have wasted away and there is no light in my eyes.

The boy and the wolf by james baldwin one day word came that a savage wolf had been seen in the forest. "how i should like to meet that wolf," said little gilbert. he was only seven years old, but now all his thoughts were about the savage beast. "shall we take a walk this morning? " asked his mother. "oh, yes! " said gilbert. "perhaps we may see that wolf among the trees. but don't be afraid." his mother smiled, for she felt quite sure that there was no danger. what point of view does the author use in this selection?