Literary Devices Essay

LITERARY DEVICES Copyright 2007 by Jay Braiman www. mrbraiman. com literary devices refers to pop outicular proposition aspects of literature, in the sense of its universal function as an fraud form which expresses suppositions through verbiage, which we send word recognize, identify, interpret and/or analyze. Literary devices jointly comprise the art forms comp iodinents the nub by which generators give rise meaning through language, and by which indorsers gain understanding of and appreciation for their works. They alike provide a conceptual framework for comparing individual literary works to others, both within and across genres.Both literary elements and literary techniques can rightly be bodeed literary devices. Literary elements refers to scattericular classifi competent characteristics of a whole textbook. They ar non used, per se, by authors they award the elements of report cardtelling which are common to entirely literary and record forms. For exa mple, both(prenominal) story has a motion, every story has a setting, every story has a betrothal, every story is create verb wholey from a particular point-of-view, etcetera In browse to be discussed legitimately as part of a textual summary, literary elements moldiness be itemally identified for that particular text.Literary techniques refers to either particular proposition, deliberate constructions or choices of language which an author uses to convey meaning in a particular way of life. An authors use of a literary technique normally occurs with a single word or phrase, or a particular group of lecture or phrases, at maven single point in a text. Unlike literary elements, literary techniques are not necessarily present in every text they represent deliberate, conscious choices by individual authors. Literary considerations refers to the words themselves with which we identify and designate literary elements and techniques.They are not found in literature and they are not used by authors. Allegory Where every aspect of a story is representative, usually symbolic, of something else, usually a big abstract concept or most-valuable diachronic/geopolitical pur bring forth. sea captain of the Flies provides a compelling allegory of forgiving disposition, illustrating the three sides of the chief through its sharply-defined principal(prenominal) characters. Alliteration The repetition of consonant sounds within fill up proximity, usually in consecutive words within the same strong belief or line. Antagonist Counterpart to the main character and source of a storys main conflict.The individual may not be bad or evil by any conventional incorrupt standard, but he/she opposes the title-holder in a significant way. (Although it is technically a literary element, the term is solo useful for identification, as part of a intelligence or analysis of character it cannot largely be analyzed by itself. ) Anthropomorphism Where animals or pu lseless objects are portrayed in a story as concourse, such as by walking, talking, or being given arms, legs, facial features, human locomotion or other anthropoid form. (This technique is often incorrectly called personification.) The King and pouffe of Hearts and their playing-card courtiers comprise only one example of Carrolls spacious use of anthropomorphism in Alices Adventures in Wonderland. Blank indite Non-rhyming poetry, usually written in iambic pentameter. some of Shakespeares discourse is written in blank verse, though it does occasionally rhyme. Character The people who inhabit and stockpile part in a story. When discussing character, as perspicuous from characterization, look to the essential function of the character, or of all the characters as a group, in the story as a whole. Rather than focus on one particular character, Lord assembles a series of brief vignettes and anecdotes involving quintuple characters, in articulate to give the reader the broa dest possible spectrum of human behavior. Golding uses his main characters to represent the different parts of the human psyche, to illustrate mankinds internal struggle between desire, intellect, and conscience. Characterization The authors means of conveying to the reader a characters personality, life accounting, values, physiological attributes, etc. Also refers directly to a commentary in that respectof. Atticus is characterized as an almost immayhap virtuous man, always doing what is right and imparting spotless object lesson values to his children. Climax The turning point in a story, at which the end result becomes inevitable, usually where something suddenly goes terribly wrongly the dramatic high point of a story. (Although it is technically a literary element, the term is only useful for identification, as part of a discussion or analysis of structure it cannot by and large be analyzed by itself. ) The story r each(prenominal)es its climax in Act III, when Mercu tio and Tybalt are killed and Romeo is banished from Verona.Conflict A struggle between opposing forces which is the driving force of a story. The end point of any story provides a resolution of the conflict(s) this is what keeps the reader culture. Conflicts can last between individual characters, between groups of characters, between a character and society, etc. , and can withal be purely abstract (i. e. , conflicting ideas). The conflict between the Montagues and Capulets causes Romeo and Juliet to behave irrationally once they fall in lovemaking. shits priorities are in conflict with those of Ralph and Piggy, which causes him to break away from the group.Man-versus-character is an important conflict in The Old Man and the Sea. Context Conditions, including facts, social/historical background, time and coiffure, etc. , surrounding a given situation. Madame Defarges actions appear almost reasonable in the context of the Revolution. Creative license hyperbole or alter ation of objective facts or humankind, for the purpose of enhancing meaning in a fictional context. Orwell took some creative license with the historical events of the Russian Revolution, in order to clarify the ideological conflicts. Dialogue Where characters speak to one another may often be used to stand in for definition. Since there is so little stage direction in Shakespeare, many of the characters thoughts and actions are revealed through dialogue. Dramatic irony Where the audience or reader is witting of something important, of which the characters in the story are not aware. Macbeth responds with disbelief when the weird sisters call him Thane of Cawdor ironically, unbekn sufferst to him, he had been granted that title by king Duncan in the previous scene. Exposition Where an author interrupts a story in order to explain something, usually to provide important background learning. The first chapter consists loosely of exposition, running down the familys history and describing their living conditions. Figurative language Any use of language where the intended meaning differs from the actual verbal meaning of the words themselves. There are many techniques which can rightly be called synecdochic language, including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, onomatopoeia, verbal irony, and oxymoron. (Related figure of speech) The poet makes extensive use of figurative language, presenting the speakers feelings as colors, sounds and flavors.Foil A character who is meant to represent characteristics, values, ideas, etc. which are directly and diametrically opposed to those of another character, usually the protagonist. (Although it is technically a literary element, the term is only useful for identification, as part of a discussion or analysis of character it cannot slackly be analyzed by itself. The noble, virtuous father Macduff provides an ideal expose for the villainous, childless Macbeth. Foreshadowing Where future events in a story , or by chance the resolution, are suggested by the author before they happen.Foreshadowing can take many forms and be accomplished in many ways, with varying degrees of subtlety. However, if the outcome is deliberately and explicitly revealed early in a story (such as by the use of a cashier or flashback structure), such information does not constitute foreshadowing. Willys concern for his car foreshadows his eventual means of suicide. Hyperbole A description which exaggerates, usually employing extremes and/or superlatives to convey a positive or negative attribute hype. The author uses hyperbole to draw off Mr.Smith, calling him the greatest human being ever to walk the earth. iambic pentameter A poetic meter wherein each line agrees ten syllables, as five repetitions of a two-syllable pattern in which the pronunciation emphasis is on the second syllable. Shakespeare wrote most of his dialogue in iambic pentameter, often having to chasten the order and nature of words to fit the syllable pattern, thus endowing the language with even greater meaning. Imagery Language which describes something in detail, using words to substitute for and create sensory rousing, including visual imaginativeness and sound imagery.Also refers to specific and recurring types of images, such as food imagery and nature imagery. (Not all descriptions can rightly be called imagery the key is the appeal to and stimulation of specific senses, usually visual. It is often advisable to specify the type of imagery being used, and consider the significance of the images themselves, to distinguish imagery from mere description. ) The authors use of visual imagery is impressive the reader is able to see the island in all its lush, colorful splendor by reading Goldings detailed descriptions.Irony (a. k. a. Situational irony) Where an event occurs which is unexpect, in the sense that it is someways in comical or mocking opposition to what would be expected or appropriate. Mere coi ncidence is generally not ironic incomplete is mere surprise, nor are any random or arbitrary occurrences. (Note Most of the situations in the Alanis Morissette song are not ironic at all, which may in truth make the song ironic in itself. ) See also Dramatic irony Verbal irony. Metaphor A direct affinity where one thing or idea substitutes for another. Shakespeare often uses light as a metaphor for Juliet Romeo refers to her as the sun, as a rich ornament in an Ethiops ear, and as a solitary dove among crows. body fluid The atmosphere or emotional condition created by the piece, within the setting. sense modality refers to the general sense or feeling which the reader is supposed to get from the text it does not, as a literary element, refer to the authors or characters state of mind. (Note that mood is a literary element, not a technique the mood must therefore be describe or identified. It would be incorrect to simply state, The author uses mood.) The mood of Macbeth is dar k, murky and mysterious, creating a sense of fright and uncertainty. Motif A recurring important idea or image. A motivation differs from a theme in that it can be expressed as a single word or fragmentary phrase, part a theme usually must be expressed as a complete condemnation. Blood is an important motif in A Tale of Two Cities, appearing numerous measure throughout the novel. Onomatopoeia Where sounds are spelled out as words or, when words describing sounds actually sound like the sounds they describe. Ouch EEK Crash Oxymoron A contradiction in terms. Romeo describes love using several oxymorons, such as cold fire, feather of pop off and sick health, to suggest its contradictory nature. Paradox Where a situation is created which cannot possibly exist, because different elements of it cancel each other out. In 1984, doublethink refers to the paradox where history is changed, and then claimed to have never been changed. A Tale of Two Cities opens with the renowned parado x, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Parallelism Use of similar or equivalent language, structures, events or ideas in different parts of a text.Personification (I) Where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are seemingly endowed with human self-awareness where human thoughts, actions, perceptions and emotions are directly attributed to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. (Not to be befogged with anthropomorphism. ) Personification (II) Where an abstract concept, such as a particular human behavior or a force of nature, is represented as a person. The Greeks personified natural forces as gods for example, the god Poseidon was the personification of the sea and its power everywhere man. Plot Sequence of events in a story.Most literary experiment tasks will instruct the writer to avoid plot summary the term is therefore rarely useful for response or critical analysis. When discussing plot, it is generally more useful to consider and analyze its structure, r ather than simply duplicate what happens. Point-of-view The identity of the narrative congressman the person or entity through whom the reader experiences the story. May be third-person (no narrator abstract narrative voice, omniscient or limited) or first-person (narrated by a character in the story or a direct observer).Point-of-view is a commonly misused term it does not refer to the authors or characters feelings, opinions, perspectives, biases, etc. Though it is written in third-person, Animal Farm is told from the limited point-of-view of the common animals, unaware of what is actually happening as the pigs inactively and secretively take over the farm. create verbally the story in first-person point-of-view enables the reader to experience the soldiers fear and uncertainty, limiting the narrative to what only he saw, thought and felt during the battle. champ The main character in a story, the one with whom the reader is meant to identify. The person is not necessarily good by any conventional moral standard, but he/she is the person in whose plight the reader is most invested. (Although it is technically a literary element, the term is only useful for identification, as part of a discussion or analysis of character it cannot generally be analyzed by itself. ) Repetition Where a specific word, phrase, or structure is repeated several times, usually in close proximity, to emphasize a particular idea. The repetition of the words What if at the beginning of each line reinforces the speakers confusion and fear. Setting The time and roam where a story occurs. The setting can be specific (e. g. , immature York City in 1930) or ambiguous (e. g. , a large urban city during economic hard times). Also refers directly to a description thereof. When discussing or analyzing setting, it is generally insufficient to merely identify the time and place an analysis of setting should include a discussion of its overall usurpation on the story and characters. The novel is set in the South during the racially turbulent 1930s, when blacks were treated unfairly by the courts. With the island, Golding creates a pristine, isolated and innocent setting, in order to show that the boys actions result from their own essential nature rather than their environment. Simile An indirect relationship where one thing or idea is described as being similar to another. Similes usually contain the words like or as, but not always. The simile in line 10 describes the lunar eclipse The moon appeared crimson, like a drop of blood hanging in the sky. The characters pace is described in the simile She hunched and struggled her way down the path, the way an old beggar woman might wander about. Speaker The voice of a poem not to be confused with the poet him/herself. Analogous to the narrator in prose fiction. Structure The manner in which the various elements of a story are assembled. The individual tales are told within the structure of the larger bod story , where the 29 travelers gather at the Inn at Southwark on their move around to Canterbury, telling stories to pass the time. The play follows the traditional Shakespearean five-act plot structure, with exposition in Act I, development in Act II, the climax or turning point in Act III, falling action in Act IV, and resolution in Act V. Symbolism The use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas. This term is commonly misused, describing any and all representational relationships, which in fact are more often metaphorical than symbolic. A symbol must be something tangible or visible, while the idea it symbolizes must be something abstract or universal.(In other words, a symbol must be something you can hold in your dig or draw a picture of, while the idea it symbolizes must be something you cant hold in your hand or draw a picture of. ) Golding uses symbols to represent the various aspects of human nature and civilization as they are revealed in the novel. The con ch symbolizes order and authority, while its gradual deterioration and ultimate destruction metaphorically represent the boys collective downfall. bag The main idea or message conveyed by the piece.A theme should generally be expressed as a complete sentence an idea expressed by a single word or fragmentary phrase is usually a motif. Orwells theme is that downright power corrupts absolutely. The idea that human beings are basically brutal, savage creatures provides the underlying theme of the novel. Tone The apparent emotional state, or attitude, of the speaker/narrator/narrative voice, as conveyed through the language of the piece. Tone refers only to the narrative voice not to the author or characters.It must be described or identified in order to be analyzed flop it would be incorrect to simply state, The author uses tone. The poem has a acid and sardonic tone, revealing the speakers anger and resentment. The tone of Gullivers narration is unusually matter-of-fact, as he seems to regard these bizarre and absurd occurrences as ordinary or commonplace. cataclysm Where a story ends with a negative or unfortunate outcome which was essentially avoidable, usually caused by a flaw in the central characters personality.Tragedy is really more of a dramatic genre than a literary element a play can be referred to as a tragedy, but tragic events in a story are essentially part of the plot, rather than a literary device in themselves. When discussing tragedy, or analyzing a story as tragic, look to the other elements of the story which accede to make it tragic. Tragic hero/tragic figure A protagonist who comes to a bad end as a result of his own behavior, usually cased by a specific personality bother or character flaw.(Although it is technically a literary element, the term is only useful for identification, as part of a discussion or analysis of character it cannot generally be analyzed by itself. ) Willy Loman is one of the best-known tragic figures in American literature, oblivious to and unable to face the reality of his life. Tragic flaw The single characteristic (usually negative) or personality put out which causes the downfall of the protagonist. Othellos tragic flaw is his jealousy, which consumes him so thoroughly that he is driven to murder his wife rather than accept, let alone confirm, her infidelity.(Although it is technically a literary element, the term is only useful for identification, as part of a discussion or analysis of character it cannot generally be analyzed by itself. ) Verbal irony Where the meaning of a specific expression is, or is intended to be, the exact opposite of what the words literally mean. (Sarcasm is a tone of voice that often accompanies verbal irony, but they are not the same thing. ) Orwell gives this torture and brainwashing facility the ironic title, Ministry of Love.