Literary Devices Essay Example for Free

Literary Devices Essay Alliteration Repeating the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. AllusionA figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, people, places, events, literary work, myths, or works of art, either directly or by implication. BildungsromanA type of novel concerned with education, development, and maturation of a young protagonist. Essentially, a Bildungsroman traces the formation of a protagonists maturity (the passage from childhood to adulthood) by following the development of his/her mind and character. Breaking the fourth wallAn author or character addresses the audience directly (also known as direct address). This may acknowledge to the reader or audience that what is being presented is fiction, or may seek to extend the world of the story to provide the illusion that they are included in it. An example is found in the film Ferris Buellers Day Off when the main character speaks to the audience by looking directly into the camera. Chekhovs gunInsertion of an apparently irrelevant object early in a narrative for a purpose only revealed later. See foreshadowing and repetitive designation. Cliff-hangerThe narrative ends unresolved, to draw the audience back to a future episode for the resolution. Deus ex machina (From Latin: a machination, or act of god)Resolving the primary conflict by a means unrelated to the story (e. g. , a god appears and solves everything). This device dates back to ancient Greek theatre, but can be a clumsy method that frustrates the audience. This has come to mean that a force steps in to save the day or a helicopter shows up just as the hero must jump off a building. EpiphanyA sudden revelation or insight—usually with a symbolic role in the narrative—in a literary work. First Person NarrationA text presented from the point of view of a character (esp. the protagonist) and written in the first person. Oftentimes, the first-person narrative is used as a way to directly convey the deeply internal, otherwise unspoken thoughts of the narrator. Occasionally this narrator can be seen as unreliable. In some cases, the narrator gives and withholds information based on his/her own viewing of events. It is an important task for the reader to determine as much as possible about the character of the narrator in order to decide what really happens. Important note: See page 4 for point form recap. Flashback (or analeptic reference)General term for altering time sequences, taking characters back to the beginning of the tale, for instance Flash-forwardAlso called prolepsis, an interjected scene that temporarily jumps the narrative forward in time. Flash forwards often represent events expected, projected, or imagined to occur in the future. They may also reveal significant parts of the story that have not yet occurred, but soon will in greater detail. This has been highly popularized by several television shows. ForeshadowingHinting at events to occur later. See also Chekhovs gun. Frame story, or a story within a storyA main story that organizes a series of shorter stories or a short story that is used within another to add meaning to the other. Framing deviceA single action, scene, event, setting, or any element of significance at both the beginning and end of a work. HamartiaThe character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall. HyperboleExaggeration used to evoke strong feelings or create an impression which is not meant to be taken literally. ImageryForming mental images of a scene using descriptive words, especially making use of the human senses. In medias resBeginning the story in the middle of a sequence of events. The Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer are prime examples. The latter work begins with the return of Odysseus to his home of Ithaka and then in flashbacks tells of his ten years of wandering following the Trojan War. IronyThis discrepancy between expectation and reality occurs in three forms: situational irony, where a situation features a discrepancy between what is expected and what is actualized; dramatic irony, where a character is unaware of pivotal information already revealed to the audience (the discrepancy here lies in the two levels of awareness between the character and the audience); and verbal irony, where one states one thing while meaning another. The difference between verbal irony and sarcasm is exquisitely subtle and often contested. The concept of irony is too often misunderstood in popular usage. Unfortunate circumstances and coincidences do not constitute irony (nor do they qualify as being tragic). Readers note: â€Å"Isnt it ironic? † by Alanis Morisette contains several examples, but many of them are not ironic at all. JuxtapositionUsing two themes, characters, phrases, words, or situations together for comparison or contrast Narrative hookStory opening that hooks readers attention so hey will keep reading OverstatementExaggerating something, often for emphasis (also known as hyperbole) OnomatopoeiaWord that sounds the same as, or similar to what the word means, e. g. , boom or squish OxymoronA term made of two words that deliberately or coincidentally imply each others opposite, e. g. terrible beauty ParadoxA phrase that describes an idea composed of concepts that conflict. A good example occurs in the first sentence of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: It was the best of times, it was the wo rst of times† (1). ParodyRidicule by overstated imitation, usually humorous, as in MAD Magazine Pathetic fallacyReflecting a characters (usually the protagonist) mood in the atmosphere or inanimate objects—for example, the storm in William Shakespeares King Lear, which mirrors Lears mental deterioration. PathosEmotional appeal, one of the three modes of persuasion in rhetoric that the author uses to inspire pity or sorrow towards a character—typically does not counterbalance the target characters suffering with a positive outcome, as in Tragedy. PersonificationUsing comparative metaphors and similes to give living characteristics to non-living objects. Plot twistUnexpected change (twist) in the direction or expected outcome of the plot. Poetic justiceVirtue ultimately rewarded, or vice punished, by an ironic twist of fate related to the characters own conduct Self-fulfilling prophecyPrediction that, by being made, makes itself come true. Early examples include the legend of Oedipus. There is also an example of this in Harry Potter. SatireThe use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize peoples stupidity or vices. Sensory detailImagery, sight, sound, taste, touch, smell Stream of consciousnessTechnique where the author writes down their thoughts as fast as they come, typically to create an interior monologue, characterized by leaps in syntax and punctuation that trace a characters fragmentary thoughts and sensory feelings. An example is Ulysses. SymbolismApplied use of symbols: iconic representations that carry particular conventional meanings.

Language: Origins Of Hate :: essays research papers

Language: Origins of Hate   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The horrors of mass murder can be made bearable if the intended victim is made to appear an object that deserves extermination.† As the main thesis of this essay clearly and straight-forwardly sedgiest, the author plans to probe the tools of mass destruction. More particularly, Friedmann hopes to explore the annihilation of his own people, the Jews. Opposed to popular belief, the gas chambers and concentration camps played a relatively minor role in mass destruction, the Nazis used â€Å"propagandists,† they â€Å"resorted to terminology that had been utilized earlier to render Jews subhuman.† More directly, the Nazis employed language. Through language they convinced themselves and each other that â€Å"Jews are a lower species of life† thereby justifying their demise. Friedman argues that we as a society must be conscious of such verbal derangement and seize to advocate and support still remaining demeaning clichà ©s.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is easy to point the finger of blame at a particular group of people residing at a particular nation, but that would be grossly incorrect and pointless. The truth of the matter is, â€Å"the Nazis resorted to terminology that had been utilized much earlier to render Jews subhuman.† Friedman brings up the name of Martin Luther, history’s character that is usually viewed as a hero. The man who posted the 95 thesis on a church door and triggered the reformation of the corrupt institution of Christianity, is describing a race o people as â€Å"a plague and a pestilence.† So the Nazis actions may have been to a higher degree, but were never original.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Interestingly enough, an uncanny parallel is drawn. Germans contracted bio-chemical plats specializing in insecticides to produce Zyklon B, a potent gas that was used to kill Jewish prisoners in high numbers. Zyklon B is essentially a potent can of â€Å"Raid.† First they labeled these people â€Å"vermin,†Ã¢â‚¬Å"lice† and â€Å"bacilli,† and then appropriately â€Å"fumigated them dead.† After all â€Å"is not extermination the deserved fate of all vermin?† Ironically, the Nazis discussed these gas chambers as showers, places that sedgiest cleanliness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Friedman goes on to e..plain that from ancient times, Jew as a word has meant â€Å"praised,† and it is a name of the greatest of the twelve tribes of Israel. Never mind the people themselves for a minute, the name itself has a rich history. Today however, the same word, consisting of the same letters comprised in the same order, had taken up a different, more degrading meanings, in our vocabulary.

Book Review Essay Essay

The three books I read in the holidays personally affected me in more than one way, not only inspiring me to achieve my goals, grow in character, overcome difficulties and become more spiritual. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma is a book which truly inspired me to stretch my imagination, dream further and to achieve my full potential. In his books he says, â€Å"The path to success is the hardest at the beginning, messiest in the middle and best at the end. † This one sentence is so true and ultimately defines reality. This has shown me how important is to strive towards your goals and that although we all encounter challenging situations in life, if we face them head on and grab the bull by the horns we end up reaping the rewards. Personally this has motivated me to work my hardest in my matric year and to work towards improving my marks, studying harder and doing the best I possibly can. One of the most important aspects the book taught was how vital it is to create a balance in life, which means in order for me to succeed in matric I have to balance my sports, my work and my social life in order to create equilibrium. Not only to live a life of purpose, but to have a full appreciation of each moment daily. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky was a different book to the others I read as the book almost pulled you into the story and you felt as if you were the main character and you shared all the same experiences. Chbosky showed me how important it is to spend time with your family and fellow peers and to embrace every minute you get to spend with them as well as dealing with situations which are not always ideal. One of the sentences in the book that stood out for me which was, â€Å"Even if we don’t have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there and achieve the impossible. † This taught me even if I make decisions or choices which didn’t work out, there remains hope for the future and I must focus on the present and not look back on the past. The main character was Charlie who was similar to me at the beginning of high school, like him I struggled to make friends in the beginning but as the year progressed I ended up with a few, close true friends. In the book he asked his L. O teacher for some advice and why it’s so hard to find real friends, and he replied, â€Å"We accept the love we think we deserve. † And this showed me how true it is to reality. We socialize with people who accept us for who we are, that help us grow and help teach us valuable life lessons Personally this prepared me mentally for the year ahead that even if I don’t achieve the result I hope for, I will move on as the future is the world of un-seen opportunity and surprises. A Survival Guide For Life by Bear Grylls affected me by making me take a look at everyday life and situations and how to approach them differently, as well how important it is to work and get along with others. This book taught me how important preparation is as this is one of most important keys to success, especially as organisation and preparation are extremely vital in matric. Grylls also illustrated to me how I must learn to work together and how team-work can make your life a whole lot easier. I learnt how important is to persist no matter how long it takes to achieve my vision. He inspired me to be a stronger leader and to live life more on the edge and that my dreams are reachable and mustn’t let anybody tell me differently. Each of the books I read had a different message for me and gave me insight into various aspects of life from the most simple things from making my life easier, to never giving up and striving to attain my goals, but the most important lesson I took away from the books was there are endless opportunities in the world and to never stop dreaming.

Kate Chopins The Awakening is full of symbolism such as...

Kate Chopins The Awakening is full of symbolism such as birds, clothes, houses and other narrative elements are symbols with an extremely significant meaning. The birds are the major symbolic images from the very beginning of the novel: A green and yellow parrot, which hung in a cage outside the door, kept repeating over and over: `Allez vous-en! Allez vous-en! Sapristi! Thats all right! (Chopin pp3) In The Awakening, caged birds represent Ednas entrapment. She is caged as a wife and mother; she is never expected to actually be able to think and make decisions for herself. The caged birds also symbolize the entrapment of Victorian women in general since their movements are limited by the rules of the society that they live in. Just†¦show more content†¦In the end the little house will not prove to be the solution that Edna had expected. While the house provides her with independence and isolation, the pigeon house just becomes another cage. It represents her inability to remove herself from her former life. Mademoiselle Reisz provides Edna with music that awakens her soul, advice and letters from Robert. Mademoiselle Reisz views Edna as a bird, who is seeking to fly away from societys conventions and from her responsibilities. She warns Edna that the bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth. (Chopin pp 82). Mademoiselle Reisz seems to know that Edna will try to fly away from the Creole society, but she does not know whether she will be strong enough to succeed. Mademoiselle in many ways warns Edna that her flight may not be successful however, Edna does not understand the advice that Mademoiselle Reisz supplies: I am not thinking of any extraordinary flight. I only half comprehend her. (Chopin pp83). In the last scene of the novel: A bird with a broken wing was beating the air above, reeling, fluttering, circling disabled down, down to the water. (Chopin pp 113) this bird represents Ednas disillusionment as she realizes that her ideals of freedom and independence canno t be reality in the Creole society of 19th century. EdnaShow MoreRelated Symbolism in Kate Chopins The Awakening Essay1467 Words   |  6 PagesSymbolism in Kate Chopins The Awakening Chopins The Awakening is full of symbolism.   Rather than hit the reader on the head with blunt literalism, Chopin uses symbols to relay subtle ideas.   Within each narrative segment, Chopin provides a symbol that the reader must fully understand in order to appreciate the novel as a whole.   I will attempt to dissect some of the major symbols and give possible explanations as to their importance within the text.   Art itself is a symbol of both freedom