parable: a brief story from which a lesson may be drawn; Jesus used the parable to teach his followers moral truths. The parable of the Good Samaritan is an example
"There was a message brought one day, from the worshipful Gervayse Pyncheon to young Matthew Maule, the carpenter, desiring his immediate presence at the House of the Seven Gables...He meant to humble Alice, not to kill her, but he had taken a woman's delicate sould into his rde gripe, to play with;-and she was dead!"
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
This parable is a story read by Holgrave to Phoebe. It recounts the saga of a certain Alice Pyncheon. One of the morals of the story is the harmfulness of pride. Gervayse Pyncheon is proud and ends up losing his daughter because of it. Alice Pyncheon is proud and ends up losing her life because of it. Matthew Maule is proud and ends up causing Alice's death because of it. All the pride and thinking of oneself as better than the rest is rewarded with death in one form or another. Hawthorne is telling the reader that peace is found in the equality of people, not in the ranked social classes prevalent at the time.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Spatial Order
spatial order: organization of information using spatial clues such as top to bottom or left to right
"On the northern margin of the Alaska Range, just before the hulking ramparts of Mt. McKinley and its satellites surrender to the low Kantishna plain, a series of lesser ridges, known as the Outer Range, sprawls across the flats like a rumpled blanket on an unmade bed. Between the flinty crests of the two outermost escarpments of the Outer Range runs an east-west trough, maybe fivemiles across, carpeted in a boggy amalgam of muskeg, alder, thickets, and veins of scrwany spruce. Meandering through the tangled, rolling bottomland is the Stampede Train, the route Chris McCandless followed into the wilderness."
-Into the Wild
by Jon Krakauer
Krakaeur describes the scene of McCandlass' last days and the surrounding area from out to in. He starts with the outermost landmarks and works his way to the center, where McCandless died. This provides the reader with a rough picture of the isolation of McCandless and what his last days would have been like. The reader is shown what the area looks like to better understand McCandless' situation.
"On the northern margin of the Alaska Range, just before the hulking ramparts of Mt. McKinley and its satellites surrender to the low Kantishna plain, a series of lesser ridges, known as the Outer Range, sprawls across the flats like a rumpled blanket on an unmade bed. Between the flinty crests of the two outermost escarpments of the Outer Range runs an east-west trough, maybe fivemiles across, carpeted in a boggy amalgam of muskeg, alder, thickets, and veins of scrwany spruce. Meandering through the tangled, rolling bottomland is the Stampede Train, the route Chris McCandless followed into the wilderness."
-Into the Wild
by Jon Krakauer
Krakaeur describes the scene of McCandlass' last days and the surrounding area from out to in. He starts with the outermost landmarks and works his way to the center, where McCandless died. This provides the reader with a rough picture of the isolation of McCandless and what his last days would have been like. The reader is shown what the area looks like to better understand McCandless' situation.
Semantics
semantics: the branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another
"The moon, too, which had long been climbing overhead, and unobtrusively melting its disk into the azure-like an ambitious demagogue, who hides his aspiring purpose by assuming the prevalent hue of popular sentiment-now began to shine out, broad and oval, in its middle pathway."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne's word choice here has multiple affects. It is symbolic of the youth and light (hope) of the new ideas the young lovers have; the descriptive language is characteristic of a romance and helps the reader envision the scene. Hawthorne casts the two characteristics in the light even at night, showing their potential and hope. The descriptions of the scene provide the reader with a mental image and help accentuate the role of nature as true. Hawthorne is letting the reader experience the scene while communicating the role's of Holgrave and Phoebe as the hero and heroine.
"The moon, too, which had long been climbing overhead, and unobtrusively melting its disk into the azure-like an ambitious demagogue, who hides his aspiring purpose by assuming the prevalent hue of popular sentiment-now began to shine out, broad and oval, in its middle pathway."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne's word choice here has multiple affects. It is symbolic of the youth and light (hope) of the new ideas the young lovers have; the descriptive language is characteristic of a romance and helps the reader envision the scene. Hawthorne casts the two characteristics in the light even at night, showing their potential and hope. The descriptions of the scene provide the reader with a mental image and help accentuate the role of nature as true. Hawthorne is letting the reader experience the scene while communicating the role's of Holgrave and Phoebe as the hero and heroine.
Either/Or Fallacy
either/or fallacy: reducing an argument or issue to two polar opposites and ignoring possible alternatives
In George Orwell's 1984 every person is either a Party member or an enemy. One cannot feel mediocre about the Party and Big Brother, this is the same as hating it in Oceania. This either/or fallacy communicates the extremes Orwell sees in the future. He communicating that there will be no individuality, every one will be for the Party, completely, or will be an enemy and will die. Absolutely no distinction is made between the captured POW, the enemy spy, and the lukewarm Party member. Orwell is communicating what the totalitarian world will look like in the future for the purpose of warning the world about the direction he sees it heading in.
In George Orwell's 1984 every person is either a Party member or an enemy. One cannot feel mediocre about the Party and Big Brother, this is the same as hating it in Oceania. This either/or fallacy communicates the extremes Orwell sees in the future. He communicating that there will be no individuality, every one will be for the Party, completely, or will be an enemy and will die. Absolutely no distinction is made between the captured POW, the enemy spy, and the lukewarm Party member. Orwell is communicating what the totalitarian world will look like in the future for the purpose of warning the world about the direction he sees it heading in.
Oxymoron
oxymoron: (from the Greek, 'pointedly foolish") a figure of speech in which an author juxtaposes apparently contradictory terms. A rhetorical antithesis. Examples: wise fool; thundering silence
"Winston thought for a moment, then pulled the speakwrite toward him and began dictating in Big Brother's familiar style..."
-1984
by George Orwell
The oxymoron here is the noun "speakwrite," a gadget that the Party uses instead of pens. Speaking, and writing are opposites, one is verbal, the other is a concrete recording of information. Orwell includes this here to show the technical advances he envisions for the future and to show an utter lack of privacy. If the only way to record something is to say it into a machine which writes it for you, all of the information is heard by those around you and, in this case, by the telecom. Orwell is giving the reader a warning about the complete control he sees the government taking if the course of the world is not turned.
"Winston thought for a moment, then pulled the speakwrite toward him and began dictating in Big Brother's familiar style..."
-1984
by George Orwell
The oxymoron here is the noun "speakwrite," a gadget that the Party uses instead of pens. Speaking, and writing are opposites, one is verbal, the other is a concrete recording of information. Orwell includes this here to show the technical advances he envisions for the future and to show an utter lack of privacy. If the only way to record something is to say it into a machine which writes it for you, all of the information is heard by those around you and, in this case, by the telecom. Orwell is giving the reader a warning about the complete control he sees the government taking if the course of the world is not turned.
Subject Complement
subject complement: the word (with any accompanying phrases) or clause that follows a linking verb and complements, or completes, the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it or (2) describing it
"The principle entrance, which had almost the breadth of a church door, was in the angle between the two front gables, and was covered by an open porch, with benches beneath its shelter."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The subject complement describes the "principle entrance" in the excerpt above. It helps the reader to visualize the setting and gain a better understanding of the enormity and grandeur of the House. Hawthorne includes this description to help the reader to see and to communicate the wealth of the original owner. Hawthorne wants the reader to know that the family was well off and is used to being served, as they live in a mansion. This contrasts with the inhabitant's current predicament, poor (mentally, physically, socially, socioeconomically), working class, old, and dying. Hawthorne wants to communicate that the best way to live is to work for yourself and not expect to be waited on and pampered. Hawthorne wants the reader to come away with the impression that all should be equal and treated fairly, not be excused because of their social status.
"The principle entrance, which had almost the breadth of a church door, was in the angle between the two front gables, and was covered by an open porch, with benches beneath its shelter."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The subject complement describes the "principle entrance" in the excerpt above. It helps the reader to visualize the setting and gain a better understanding of the enormity and grandeur of the House. Hawthorne includes this description to help the reader to see and to communicate the wealth of the original owner. Hawthorne wants the reader to know that the family was well off and is used to being served, as they live in a mansion. This contrasts with the inhabitant's current predicament, poor (mentally, physically, socially, socioeconomically), working class, old, and dying. Hawthorne wants to communicate that the best way to live is to work for yourself and not expect to be waited on and pampered. Hawthorne wants the reader to come away with the impression that all should be equal and treated fairly, not be excused because of their social status.
Subordinate Clause
subordinate clause: containing both a subject and a verb, but unlike the independent clause,
unable to stand alone; it does not express a complete thought. Easily
recognized key words and phrases usually begin these clauses-- for
example: although, because, unless, if, even though, since, as soon as,
while, who, when, where, how, which, and that
"They took Boggs to a little drug store, the crowd pressing around, just the same, and the whole town following, and I rushed and got a good place at the window, where I was close to him and could see in."
-Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
The subordinate clause here is "the crowd pressing around." The subject is "the crowd" and the verb, "pressing." However, it is not a complete sentence because of the verb tense. Twain includes this subordinate clause to help the reader visualize and experience the scene. Twain wants the reader to feel what is happening and experience what is happening, not just observe what is happening.
"They took Boggs to a little drug store, the crowd pressing around, just the same, and the whole town following, and I rushed and got a good place at the window, where I was close to him and could see in."
-Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
The subordinate clause here is "the crowd pressing around." The subject is "the crowd" and the verb, "pressing." However, it is not a complete sentence because of the verb tense. Twain includes this subordinate clause to help the reader visualize and experience the scene. Twain wants the reader to feel what is happening and experience what is happening, not just observe what is happening.
Paradox
paradox: a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains an acceptable and often profound meaning. Often used for emphasis or to attract attention.
Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
-Emily Dickinson
"The healthiest glow, that Hepzibah had known for years, had come now, in the dreaded crisis, when, for the first time, she had put forth her hand to help herself."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The paradox here lies in the fact that Hepzibah felt healthiest, and the best during the experience she had most dreaded. This seems contradictory, but when viewed again oddly true. She feels healthiest when she was finally doing something for herself, even if the experience was one of the most dreaded of her entire life. Hawthorne uses this paradox here to show the life Hepzibah has lead and to show what is wrong with that lifestyle. Hawthorne wants the reader to see that a life of being served and doing very little, if anything, for oneself is horrible. He wants the reader to see where he thinks true satisfaction and life comes from, working and serving oneself, a lifestyle infinitely better than the ladylike, life of nobility Hepzibah lived.
Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
-Emily Dickinson
"The healthiest glow, that Hepzibah had known for years, had come now, in the dreaded crisis, when, for the first time, she had put forth her hand to help herself."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The paradox here lies in the fact that Hepzibah felt healthiest, and the best during the experience she had most dreaded. This seems contradictory, but when viewed again oddly true. She feels healthiest when she was finally doing something for herself, even if the experience was one of the most dreaded of her entire life. Hawthorne uses this paradox here to show the life Hepzibah has lead and to show what is wrong with that lifestyle. Hawthorne wants the reader to see that a life of being served and doing very little, if anything, for oneself is horrible. He wants the reader to see where he thinks true satisfaction and life comes from, working and serving oneself, a lifestyle infinitely better than the ladylike, life of nobility Hepzibah lived.
Parody
parody: a work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. As comedy, parody distorts or exaggerates distinctive features of the original. As ridicule, it mimics the work by repeating and borrowing words, phrases, or characteristics in order to illuminate weaknesses in the original. Well-written parody offers enlightenment about the original, but poorly written parody offers only ineffectual imitation. Usually an audience must grasp literary allusions and understand the work being parodied in order to fully appreciate the nuances of the newer work. Occasionally, however, parodies take on a life of their own and do not require knowledge of the original
This parody is really only for its comic qualities. Many of the aspects of the original movie are displayed in an outrageous light. For example, in the the movie Gone With the Wind Scarlett O'Hara makes a dress out of her curtains to go see Rhett Butler in; however, in the parody "Went With the Wind" Starlett O'Hara makes a dress out of her curtains, leaving the rod in, and creating a hilarious scene.Almost all of the major events that are included in the movie take place in the parody, however, much condensed and in a hilarious light. The screenwriters and actors, really only want to make the audience laugh by amplifying every outrageous detail in the original.
The Carol Burnett Show, "Went with the Wind"
This parody is really only for its comic qualities. Many of the aspects of the original movie are displayed in an outrageous light. For example, in the the movie Gone With the Wind Scarlett O'Hara makes a dress out of her curtains to go see Rhett Butler in; however, in the parody "Went With the Wind" Starlett O'Hara makes a dress out of her curtains, leaving the rod in, and creating a hilarious scene.Almost all of the major events that are included in the movie take place in the parody, however, much condensed and in a hilarious light. The screenwriters and actors, really only want to make the audience laugh by amplifying every outrageous detail in the original.
Order of Importance
order of importance: a method of organizing an essay according to the relative significance of the subtopics
"To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them..."
-The Declaration of Independence
by Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence with some element of order of importance. What is considered most grievous is listed first and then the offenses are listed in descending order. Jefferson wants to grab the King's attention by listing the worst first. He also wants to let the King know as soon as possible that the colonists are serious and have legitimate reasons for declaring independence. Listing the grievances by descending order, he is organizing the paper, which also increases its legitimacy, making the argument seem more logical and well thought out.
"To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them..."
-The Declaration of Independence
by Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence with some element of order of importance. What is considered most grievous is listed first and then the offenses are listed in descending order. Jefferson wants to grab the King's attention by listing the worst first. He also wants to let the King know as soon as possible that the colonists are serious and have legitimate reasons for declaring independence. Listing the grievances by descending order, he is organizing the paper, which also increases its legitimacy, making the argument seem more logical and well thought out.
False Analogy
false analogy: when two cases are not sufficiently parallel to lead readers to accept a claim of connection between them
"'Well, it's a blame' ridicklous way, en I doan' want to hear no mo' 'bout it. Dey ain' no sense in it.'
'Looky here, Jim; does a cat talk like we do?'
'No, a cat don't.'
'Well, does a cow?'
'No, a cow don't, nuther.'
'Does a cat talk like a cow, or a cow talk like a cat?'
'No, dey don't'
'It's natural and right for 'em to talk different from each other, ain't it?'
''Course.'
'And ain't it natural and right for a cat and a cow to talk different from us'
'Why, mos' sholy it is.'
'Well, then, why ain't it natural and right for a Frenchman to talk different from us? You answer me that.'
'Is a cat a man, Huck?'
'No.'
'Well, den,dey ain't no sense in a cat talkin' like a man. Is a cow a man?-er is a cow a cat?'
'No, she ain't either of them.'
'Well, den, she ain't got no business to talk like either one er the yuther of 'em. Is a Frenchman a man?'
'Yes.'
'Well, den! Dad blame it, why doan he talk like a man? You answer me dat!'"
-Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
In this passage Huckleberry Finn is trying to explain to Jim that Frenchmen speak French, and that it is not "weird," just different. However, Jim will not accept the analogy between a cat speaking "cat" and a Frenchman speaking "French," because they are two different species, not two different people. Twain inserts this false analogy to demonstrate the relationship between Jim and Huck and to show ignorance of Jim. Twain is showing that Jim is not educated at all, this is important as it is contrasted by hid character. Jim is ill-educated, but very well-mannered. Twain is showing that even if slaves are not educated they are still people, and have the same emotions and character traits as the Caucasians. Twain is also showing that Huck and Jim talk together, they are forming a friendship.
"'Well, it's a blame' ridicklous way, en I doan' want to hear no mo' 'bout it. Dey ain' no sense in it.'
'Looky here, Jim; does a cat talk like we do?'
'No, a cat don't.'
'Well, does a cow?'
'No, a cow don't, nuther.'
'Does a cat talk like a cow, or a cow talk like a cat?'
'No, dey don't'
'It's natural and right for 'em to talk different from each other, ain't it?'
''Course.'
'And ain't it natural and right for a cat and a cow to talk different from us'
'Why, mos' sholy it is.'
'Well, then, why ain't it natural and right for a Frenchman to talk different from us? You answer me that.'
'Is a cat a man, Huck?'
'No.'
'Well, den,dey ain't no sense in a cat talkin' like a man. Is a cow a man?-er is a cow a cat?'
'No, she ain't either of them.'
'Well, den, she ain't got no business to talk like either one er the yuther of 'em. Is a Frenchman a man?'
'Yes.'
'Well, den! Dad blame it, why doan he talk like a man? You answer me dat!'"
-Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
In this passage Huckleberry Finn is trying to explain to Jim that Frenchmen speak French, and that it is not "weird," just different. However, Jim will not accept the analogy between a cat speaking "cat" and a Frenchman speaking "French," because they are two different species, not two different people. Twain inserts this false analogy to demonstrate the relationship between Jim and Huck and to show ignorance of Jim. Twain is showing that Jim is not educated at all, this is important as it is contrasted by hid character. Jim is ill-educated, but very well-mannered. Twain is showing that even if slaves are not educated they are still people, and have the same emotions and character traits as the Caucasians. Twain is also showing that Huck and Jim talk together, they are forming a friendship.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Polysyndeton
polysyndeton: sentence that uses and or another conjunction (with no commas) to separate the items in a series. Polysyndeton appears in the form X ans Y and Z, stressing equally each member of the series. It makes the sentence slower and the items more emphatic than in the asyndeton
"Every little while he locked me in and went down to the store, three miles, to the ferry, and traded fish and game for whisky and fetched it home and got drunk and had a good time, and licked me."
-Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
Huckleberry Finn is describing the habits of his abusive father here. Twain uses the polysyndeton to emphasize its normality. When Huck rattles it off like a memorized speech, the reader knows that the actions described are normal. This makes it all the worse as the reader realizes what a predicament Huck is in. The reader empathizes with Huck and beings to see his strength. Twain wants the audience to know that this was routine for Huckleberry Finn, and to feel sorry for him. He wants to make them cheer when he runs away, and cry when he is beaten; Twain is simply using the polysyndeton to manipulate the readers' emotions, and explain Huck Finn's situation.
"Every little while he locked me in and went down to the store, three miles, to the ferry, and traded fish and game for whisky and fetched it home and got drunk and had a good time, and licked me."
-Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
Huckleberry Finn is describing the habits of his abusive father here. Twain uses the polysyndeton to emphasize its normality. When Huck rattles it off like a memorized speech, the reader knows that the actions described are normal. This makes it all the worse as the reader realizes what a predicament Huck is in. The reader empathizes with Huck and beings to see his strength. Twain wants the audience to know that this was routine for Huckleberry Finn, and to feel sorry for him. He wants to make them cheer when he runs away, and cry when he is beaten; Twain is simply using the polysyndeton to manipulate the readers' emotions, and explain Huck Finn's situation.
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc (Post Hoc Fallacy)
post hoc, ergo propter hoc (also called the post hoc fallacy): when a writer implies that because one thing follows another, the first caused the second. Confusing sequence with causation
"Well, I was getting to feel that way myself, though I've always reckoned that looking at the new moon over your left shoulder is one of the carelessest and foolishest things a body can do. Old Hank Bunker done it one, and bragged about it; and in less than two years he got drunk and fell off of the shot tower and spread himself out so that he was just a kind of layer, as you might say; and they slid him edgeways between two barn doors for a coffin, and buried him so they say, but I didn't see it."
-Adventure of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
In the passage above Huck is assuming that because Hank Bunker looked at a new moon over his left shoulder he died. However, we know that a causal relationship between these two events is virtually impossible. Twain inserts this to characterize both Huck and Jim as superstitious. This shows their ignorance and the ignorance of the region they come from. However, this also shows some innocence; they really do not know better. Twain is communicating this to give the reader an idea of who and what they are dealing with, while also injecting humor. The reader should laugh at the ridiculousness of the claim, as Twain was a well-known humorist, and portrayed the "backwards" ways of the backwoods in a humorous light.
"Well, I was getting to feel that way myself, though I've always reckoned that looking at the new moon over your left shoulder is one of the carelessest and foolishest things a body can do. Old Hank Bunker done it one, and bragged about it; and in less than two years he got drunk and fell off of the shot tower and spread himself out so that he was just a kind of layer, as you might say; and they slid him edgeways between two barn doors for a coffin, and buried him so they say, but I didn't see it."
-Adventure of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
In the passage above Huck is assuming that because Hank Bunker looked at a new moon over his left shoulder he died. However, we know that a causal relationship between these two events is virtually impossible. Twain inserts this to characterize both Huck and Jim as superstitious. This shows their ignorance and the ignorance of the region they come from. However, this also shows some innocence; they really do not know better. Twain is communicating this to give the reader an idea of who and what they are dealing with, while also injecting humor. The reader should laugh at the ridiculousness of the claim, as Twain was a well-known humorist, and portrayed the "backwards" ways of the backwoods in a humorous light.
Style
style: the consideration of style has two purposes: (1) An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices. Some author's styles are so idiosyncratic that we can quickly recognize works bythe same author (or a writer emulating that author's style). We can analyze and describe an author's personal style and make judgements on how appropriate it is to the author's purpose. (2) Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors. By means of such classification and comparison, one can see how an author's style reflects and helps to define a historical period, such as the Renaissance or Victorian period, or a literary movement such as the Romantic, transcendental, or realist movement
"They were called Alice's Posies. The tradition was, that a certain Alice Pyncheon had flung up the seeds, in sport, and that the dust of the street and the decay of the roof gradually formed a kind of soil for them, out of which they grew, when Alice had long been in her grave. However the flowers might have come there, it was both sad and sweet to observe how Nature adopted to herself this desolate, decaying, gusty, rusty old house of the Pyncheon Family; and how the ever-returning summer did her best to gladden it with tender beauty, and grew melancholy in the effort."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne's style is that of a romantic. His novel, The House of the Seven Gables, is a classic example of romance, which Hawthorne reminds us of throughout the novel. His heavy use of imagery, figurative language, and descriptions creates the grotesque and almost fantasy-like qualities needed in a romance. Also Hawthorne's love for nature and his portrayal of it as good is characteristic of a romance. Hawthorne's style consists of these qualities; an exaltation of nature, much description and imagery, and figurative language. Hawthorne also uses very long complex sentences frequently.
"They were called Alice's Posies. The tradition was, that a certain Alice Pyncheon had flung up the seeds, in sport, and that the dust of the street and the decay of the roof gradually formed a kind of soil for them, out of which they grew, when Alice had long been in her grave. However the flowers might have come there, it was both sad and sweet to observe how Nature adopted to herself this desolate, decaying, gusty, rusty old house of the Pyncheon Family; and how the ever-returning summer did her best to gladden it with tender beauty, and grew melancholy in the effort."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne's style is that of a romantic. His novel, The House of the Seven Gables, is a classic example of romance, which Hawthorne reminds us of throughout the novel. His heavy use of imagery, figurative language, and descriptions creates the grotesque and almost fantasy-like qualities needed in a romance. Also Hawthorne's love for nature and his portrayal of it as good is characteristic of a romance. Hawthorne's style consists of these qualities; an exaltation of nature, much description and imagery, and figurative language. Hawthorne also uses very long complex sentences frequently.
Mood
mood: this term has two distinct meanings in English Writing:
"So much of mankind's varied experience had passed there- so much had been suffered, and something too, enjoyed- that the very timber were oozy, as with the moisture of a heart. It was itself like a great human heart, with a life of its own, and full of rich and sombre reminiscences...It would be an omission, trifling indeed, but unpardonable, were we to forget the green moss that had long since gathered over the projections of the windows, and on the slopes of the roof; nor must we fail to direct the reader's eye to a crop, not of weeds, but flower-shrubs, which were growing aloft in the air not a great way from the chimney, in the nook between two gables. They were called Alice's Posies. The tradition was, that a certain Alice Pyncheon had flung up the seeds, in sport, and that the dust of the street and the decay of the roof gradually formed a kind of soil for them, out of which they grew, when Alice had long been in her grave."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne is setting the mood here. He begins with a rather dark and almost depressed mood, but ends with a hopeful, border-line-bright mood. This combination of moods continues throughotu the novel. The mood is dark and depressed when Hepzibah or Clifford are present and is brighter and more cheery when Phoebe is present. When the two meet the mood is a mixture. Hawthorne uses this mood to communicate that the future has no place for the past, and that the old ways are dying, but there is hope, because there are better, brighter new ways.
- The first is grammatical and refers to verbs and the speaker's attitude. The indicative mood is used only for factual sentences, (Joey eats too quickly.). The subjunctive mood is used for doubtful or conditional attitude, (If I were you I'd get another job. I'm obviously not you, so the sentence supposes a condition contrary to fact.) The imperative mood is used for commands (Shut that door!).
- The second meaning is literary and indicates the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect mood, as well as diction. Syntax, is also a determiner of mood because sentence strength, length, and complexity affect pacing. In this usage mood is similar to tone and atmosphere
"So much of mankind's varied experience had passed there- so much had been suffered, and something too, enjoyed- that the very timber were oozy, as with the moisture of a heart. It was itself like a great human heart, with a life of its own, and full of rich and sombre reminiscences...It would be an omission, trifling indeed, but unpardonable, were we to forget the green moss that had long since gathered over the projections of the windows, and on the slopes of the roof; nor must we fail to direct the reader's eye to a crop, not of weeds, but flower-shrubs, which were growing aloft in the air not a great way from the chimney, in the nook between two gables. They were called Alice's Posies. The tradition was, that a certain Alice Pyncheon had flung up the seeds, in sport, and that the dust of the street and the decay of the roof gradually formed a kind of soil for them, out of which they grew, when Alice had long been in her grave."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne is setting the mood here. He begins with a rather dark and almost depressed mood, but ends with a hopeful, border-line-bright mood. This combination of moods continues throughotu the novel. The mood is dark and depressed when Hepzibah or Clifford are present and is brighter and more cheery when Phoebe is present. When the two meet the mood is a mixture. Hawthorne uses this mood to communicate that the future has no place for the past, and that the old ways are dying, but there is hope, because there are better, brighter new ways.
Transition
transition: a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, or longer passage of writing that serves as a link in the writing. Words such as however, therefore, then, and here are often used as transitions
"A descriptive paragraph or two, treating of the seven-gabled mansion in its more recent aspect, will bring this preliminary chapter to a close."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
All of the information given previously in this chapter was about the history of the house; this phrase simply provides a smooth change of subject. It also alerts the reader to the importance of the actual house. Most books will not devote an entire section to the appearance of the setting, but will rather describe it as the plot continues. However, because of the importance of the house and its status as a symbol and almost a character, Hawthorne includes a section about it in the introductory passage.
"A descriptive paragraph or two, treating of the seven-gabled mansion in its more recent aspect, will bring this preliminary chapter to a close."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
All of the information given previously in this chapter was about the history of the house; this phrase simply provides a smooth change of subject. It also alerts the reader to the importance of the actual house. Most books will not devote an entire section to the appearance of the setting, but will rather describe it as the plot continues. However, because of the importance of the house and its status as a symbol and almost a character, Hawthorne includes a section about it in the introductory passage.
Wit
wit: the quickness of intellect and the power and talent for sating brilliant things that surprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene
"But, had you peeped at them through the chinks of the garden-fence, the young man's earnestness and heightened color might have led you to suppose that he was making love to the young girl!"
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne is here displaying his wit by "comment[ing]..on the foibles of the passing scene." His wit both injects humor and description into the narrative. Hawthorne is giving the reader a powerful and memorable image of what Holgrave looks like, and is providing comic relief from the rather serious discussion taking place between Phoebe and Holgrave. Hawthorne encourages the reader to continue reading by providing these surprising little phrases.
"But, had you peeped at them through the chinks of the garden-fence, the young man's earnestness and heightened color might have led you to suppose that he was making love to the young girl!"
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne is here displaying his wit by "comment[ing]..on the foibles of the passing scene." His wit both injects humor and description into the narrative. Hawthorne is giving the reader a powerful and memorable image of what Holgrave looks like, and is providing comic relief from the rather serious discussion taking place between Phoebe and Holgrave. Hawthorne encourages the reader to continue reading by providing these surprising little phrases.
Rhetorical Modes
rhetorical modes: this flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common modes are exposition, argumentation, description, and narration. These writing modes are sometimes referred to as modes of discourse
"I find, since reading over the foregoing Narrative, that I have, in several instances, spoken in such a tone and manner, respecting religion, as may possibly lead those unacquainted with my religious views to suppose me an opponent of all religion. To remove the liability of such misapprehension, I deem it proper to append the following brief explanation."
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
Douglass is here explaining his purpose in writing the Appendix to his first autobiography. The Appendix is expository and persuasive; Douglass is explaining his rhetorical mode. He gives the purpose as explaining and clarifying, therefore his rhetorical mode is exposition. Douglass is explaining himself to alert the readers immediately to his views on religion; he does not want to risk anyone tuning him out because they misunderstand his religious views, so he explains himself.
"I find, since reading over the foregoing Narrative, that I have, in several instances, spoken in such a tone and manner, respecting religion, as may possibly lead those unacquainted with my religious views to suppose me an opponent of all religion. To remove the liability of such misapprehension, I deem it proper to append the following brief explanation."
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
Douglass is here explaining his purpose in writing the Appendix to his first autobiography. The Appendix is expository and persuasive; Douglass is explaining his rhetorical mode. He gives the purpose as explaining and clarifying, therefore his rhetorical mode is exposition. Douglass is explaining himself to alert the readers immediately to his views on religion; he does not want to risk anyone tuning him out because they misunderstand his religious views, so he explains himself.
Periodic Sentence
periodic sentence: a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. after all introductory elements such as words, phrases, and dependent clauses. The effect is to add emphasis and structural variety; e.g., "Across the stream, beyond the clearing, from behind a fallen tree, the lion emerged."
"Without such purpose on her part, and subconsciously on his, she made the House of the Seven Gables like a home to him, and the garden a familiar precinct."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne wants to show the relationship between Holgrave and Phoebe. He uses the periodic sentence to emphasize its transition and growth. They go from strangers to acquaintances, to friends, and then to close friends, as Phoebe provides a feeling of stability and love to Holgrave. Hawthorne is emphasizing that they make each other comfortable and are drawn to each other, and is again showing the vitality and potential of the youth, as they are just starting out in life and have a great future ahead of themselves. He is providing the reader with hope in a rather grotesque book.
"Without such purpose on her part, and subconsciously on his, she made the House of the Seven Gables like a home to him, and the garden a familiar precinct."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne wants to show the relationship between Holgrave and Phoebe. He uses the periodic sentence to emphasize its transition and growth. They go from strangers to acquaintances, to friends, and then to close friends, as Phoebe provides a feeling of stability and love to Holgrave. Hawthorne is emphasizing that they make each other comfortable and are drawn to each other, and is again showing the vitality and potential of the youth, as they are just starting out in life and have a great future ahead of themselves. He is providing the reader with hope in a rather grotesque book.
Tone
tone: similar to mood, tone describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both. Tone is easier to determine in spoken than in written language
"Alas, poor Clifford! You are old, and worn with troubles that ought never to have befallen you. You are partly crazy, and partly imbecile; a ruin, a failure, as almost everybody is-though some in less degree, or less perceptibly, than their fellows. Fate has no happiness in store for you; unless your quiet home in the old family residence, with the faithful Hepzibah, and your long summer afternoons with Phoebe, and these Sabbath festivals with Uncle Venner and the Daguerreotypist, deserve to be called happiness! Why not? If not the thing itself, it is marvelously like it, and the more so for that ethereal and intangible quality, which causes it all to vanish at too close an introspection. Take it, therefore, while you may! Murmur not- question not- but make the most of it!"
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne's tone throughout his novel is that of a sympathetic commentator. He feels sorry for Hepzibah and Clifford, they are a dying breed, and the book showcases this transition. However, Hawthorne also speaks highly of, and has a sort of hopeful tone with, Phoebe and the Daguerreotypist. This is to show what the future holds. He is communicating that the societal classes and all of their pomp and circumstance are passing away, while a new vibrant love for all and equality for all is being born. He wants the reader to rejoice in this, but not scorn the old, therefore adopting the admiring and sympathetic tones.
"Alas, poor Clifford! You are old, and worn with troubles that ought never to have befallen you. You are partly crazy, and partly imbecile; a ruin, a failure, as almost everybody is-though some in less degree, or less perceptibly, than their fellows. Fate has no happiness in store for you; unless your quiet home in the old family residence, with the faithful Hepzibah, and your long summer afternoons with Phoebe, and these Sabbath festivals with Uncle Venner and the Daguerreotypist, deserve to be called happiness! Why not? If not the thing itself, it is marvelously like it, and the more so for that ethereal and intangible quality, which causes it all to vanish at too close an introspection. Take it, therefore, while you may! Murmur not- question not- but make the most of it!"
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne's tone throughout his novel is that of a sympathetic commentator. He feels sorry for Hepzibah and Clifford, they are a dying breed, and the book showcases this transition. However, Hawthorne also speaks highly of, and has a sort of hopeful tone with, Phoebe and the Daguerreotypist. This is to show what the future holds. He is communicating that the societal classes and all of their pomp and circumstance are passing away, while a new vibrant love for all and equality for all is being born. He wants the reader to rejoice in this, but not scorn the old, therefore adopting the admiring and sympathetic tones.
Personification
personification: a figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes. Personification is used to make these abstractions, animals, or objects appear more vivid to the reader
"However the flowers might have come there. it was both sad and sweet to observe how Nature adopted to herself this desolate, decaying, gusty, rusty old house of the Pyncheon Family; and how the ever-returning summer did her best to gladden it with tender beauty, and grew melancholy in the effort."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
One of the key elements to a romance is the inclusion of nature in the story. Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables is a classic example of romance and as such exalts nature. Here Hawthorne personifies nature and summer, giving them motherly and loving characteristics. Hawthorne is developing nature as a force for good, which was a new concept for many people during this time period. Hawthorne is making nature "approachable" and friendly. He wants the reader to feel this way, and to not be scared of nature, as it is a beautiful aspect of his book, and symbolizes peace and happiness.
"However the flowers might have come there. it was both sad and sweet to observe how Nature adopted to herself this desolate, decaying, gusty, rusty old house of the Pyncheon Family; and how the ever-returning summer did her best to gladden it with tender beauty, and grew melancholy in the effort."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
One of the key elements to a romance is the inclusion of nature in the story. Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables is a classic example of romance and as such exalts nature. Here Hawthorne personifies nature and summer, giving them motherly and loving characteristics. Hawthorne is developing nature as a force for good, which was a new concept for many people during this time period. Hawthorne is making nature "approachable" and friendly. He wants the reader to feel this way, and to not be scared of nature, as it is a beautiful aspect of his book, and symbolizes peace and happiness.
Persona
persona: the fictional voice (or mask) that a writer adopts to tell a story. Persona or voice is usually determined by a combination of subject matter and audience
"Nothing gives a sadder sense of decay, than this loss or suspension of the power to deal with unaccustomed things, and to keep up with the swiftness of the passing moment. It can merely be a suspended animation; for, were the power actually to perish, there would be little use for immortality. We are less than ghosts, for the time being, whenever this calamity befalls us."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne comments on the novel to the reader in various places throughout the book; he takes on a friendly voice. Hawthorne's persona is that of an educated omniscient friend of the reader; he acts as a guide through the book, describing the scene, and warning about the future. Hawthorne does indeed do this to guide the reader, making sure his audience understands and knows what is happening and what the significance of it all is.
"Nothing gives a sadder sense of decay, than this loss or suspension of the power to deal with unaccustomed things, and to keep up with the swiftness of the passing moment. It can merely be a suspended animation; for, were the power actually to perish, there would be little use for immortality. We are less than ghosts, for the time being, whenever this calamity befalls us."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne comments on the novel to the reader in various places throughout the book; he takes on a friendly voice. Hawthorne's persona is that of an educated omniscient friend of the reader; he acts as a guide through the book, describing the scene, and warning about the future. Hawthorne does indeed do this to guide the reader, making sure his audience understands and knows what is happening and what the significance of it all is.
Meiosis (Understatement)
meiosis (understatement): the ironic minimizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is. The effect frequently can be humorous and emphatic. For example, Jonathan Swift wrote, "Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her appearance." Meiosis or understatement is the opposite of hyperbole
"'I should be very sorry to think so,' answered Phoebe, gravely. 'But it is true that my small abilities were precisely what they needed..."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Phoebe's "small abilities" completely turned the lives of her cousins around, she gave them hope. She is understating her role in their lives. Hawthorne does this as a form of characterization. He paints Phoebe as a humble, unselfish, and quiet ray of sunshine that brightens everyone's lives. Through this meiosis, the reader sees deeper into Phoebe's character; Hawthorne displays her as a saint, someone who does no harm and only wants good for people, but is also very humble.
"'I should be very sorry to think so,' answered Phoebe, gravely. 'But it is true that my small abilities were precisely what they needed..."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Phoebe's "small abilities" completely turned the lives of her cousins around, she gave them hope. She is understating her role in their lives. Hawthorne does this as a form of characterization. He paints Phoebe as a humble, unselfish, and quiet ray of sunshine that brightens everyone's lives. Through this meiosis, the reader sees deeper into Phoebe's character; Hawthorne displays her as a saint, someone who does no harm and only wants good for people, but is also very humble.
Hyperbole
hyperbole: figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Not intended literally, hyperbole may be humorous or serious
Your beauty, that did haunt me in my sleep
To undertake the death of all the world,
So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom
--Shakespeare, Richard III
"she met the little urchin whose marvelous feats of gastronomy have been recorded in the earlier pages of our narrative,"
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The "marvelous feats of gastronomy" Hawthorne references here simply consist of a little boy eating a few gingerbread cookies, nothing spectacular for any little boy when given the chance. However, by referring to them in this way and making them up to be rather grand, Hawthorne humors audience. The reader laughs, as Hawthorne injects some humor into a melancholy "goodbye scene;" Hawthorne uses the hyperbole as a form of comic relief.
Your beauty, that did haunt me in my sleep
To undertake the death of all the world,
So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom
--Shakespeare, Richard III
"she met the little urchin whose marvelous feats of gastronomy have been recorded in the earlier pages of our narrative,"
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The "marvelous feats of gastronomy" Hawthorne references here simply consist of a little boy eating a few gingerbread cookies, nothing spectacular for any little boy when given the chance. However, by referring to them in this way and making them up to be rather grand, Hawthorne humors audience. The reader laughs, as Hawthorne injects some humor into a melancholy "goodbye scene;" Hawthorne uses the hyperbole as a form of comic relief.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Loose Sentence
loose sentence: a sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses
"He was the commander of a vast shadowy army, an underground network of conspirators dedicated to the overthrow of the State."
-1984
by George Orwell
Orwell uses this type of sentence to emphasize and clarify. Orwell is clarifying who Goldstein is and emphasizing what his role in the revolution is. He wants the reader to know who, and what. The best way to do this in this situation, for purposes of flow and ease of reading, is in a loose sentence. Orwell wants people to read and reform, they will not read and therefore not reform if the book is choppy and not well-written.
"He was the commander of a vast shadowy army, an underground network of conspirators dedicated to the overthrow of the State."
-1984
by George Orwell
Orwell uses this type of sentence to emphasize and clarify. Orwell is clarifying who Goldstein is and emphasizing what his role in the revolution is. He wants the reader to know who, and what. The best way to do this in this situation, for purposes of flow and ease of reading, is in a loose sentence. Orwell wants people to read and reform, they will not read and therefore not reform if the book is choppy and not well-written.
Extended Metaphor
extended metaphor: a metaphor developed at length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work
"...the blooming girl must inevitably droop and fade much sooner than if worn an a younger and happier breast..."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne compares Phoebe to a rose throughout his novel, The House of the Seven Gables. This comparison follows her from a bud to a bloom, emphasizing the transformation that the house has caused Phoebe to have. This extended metaphor also furthers the romantic and descriptive characteristics of the novel. Hawthorne compares Phoebe to a rose mainly to show how she changes during the book, from a dainty beauty, to a deeper, more full womanly beauty. This also displays the affect the house has on people, causing maturity to infect everything and everyone abiding in it.
"...the blooming girl must inevitably droop and fade much sooner than if worn an a younger and happier breast..."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne compares Phoebe to a rose throughout his novel, The House of the Seven Gables. This comparison follows her from a bud to a bloom, emphasizing the transformation that the house has caused Phoebe to have. This extended metaphor also furthers the romantic and descriptive characteristics of the novel. Hawthorne compares Phoebe to a rose mainly to show how she changes during the book, from a dainty beauty, to a deeper, more full womanly beauty. This also displays the affect the house has on people, causing maturity to infect everything and everyone abiding in it.
Metaphor
metaphor: a figure of speech using an implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity
"O'Brien smiled slightly. 'You are a flaw in the pattern, Winston. You are a stain that must be wiped out."
-1984
by George Orwell
Here O'Brien compares Winston to a stain.Stains are unwanted and ugly things, many times ruining an article of clothing. Stains are imperfections. O'Brien is saying that Winston, who thinks for himself and tries to reason is an imperfection in the cloth of mindless followers. Orwell uses this metaphor to preach about what the future of the world looks like to him. He is trying to communicate that anyone who has any individuality whatsoever will be annihilated. He is attempting to hang a sign that reads "Turn Back Now, Danger and Misery Ahead" for the world to see by showing them that the aspects of life which allow pleasure and friendships to form will be completely gone in his predicted future.
"O'Brien smiled slightly. 'You are a flaw in the pattern, Winston. You are a stain that must be wiped out."
-1984
by George Orwell
Here O'Brien compares Winston to a stain.Stains are unwanted and ugly things, many times ruining an article of clothing. Stains are imperfections. O'Brien is saying that Winston, who thinks for himself and tries to reason is an imperfection in the cloth of mindless followers. Orwell uses this metaphor to preach about what the future of the world looks like to him. He is trying to communicate that anyone who has any individuality whatsoever will be annihilated. He is attempting to hang a sign that reads "Turn Back Now, Danger and Misery Ahead" for the world to see by showing them that the aspects of life which allow pleasure and friendships to form will be completely gone in his predicted future.
Metonymy
metonymy: (from the Greek: "changed label" or "substitute name") a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it
"BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU,"
-1984
by George Orwell
Big Brother is not in actuality watching the citizens of Oceania, but the Party is. Big Brother is the "leader" of the Party, and as such replaces the Party in the posters all over the city. The use of Big Brother rater than the Party creates a more personal feel, the people may feel both intimidated and protected by their "big brother" a figure usually looked up to in the atomic family. However, in this case Big Brother is the totalitarian dictator of the world, but is much more intimate than the Party, and is therefore used to replace the Party. Orwell uses the metonymy here to communicate the awfulness of the situation, one man has taken over the entire world and rules it harshly, scrutinizing every movement so thought even thoughts do not go unpunished. Orwell wants the reader to be horrified and seek to change their ways, and the ways of the world to avoid such a predicament in the future.
"BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU,"
-1984
by George Orwell
Big Brother is not in actuality watching the citizens of Oceania, but the Party is. Big Brother is the "leader" of the Party, and as such replaces the Party in the posters all over the city. The use of Big Brother rater than the Party creates a more personal feel, the people may feel both intimidated and protected by their "big brother" a figure usually looked up to in the atomic family. However, in this case Big Brother is the totalitarian dictator of the world, but is much more intimate than the Party, and is therefore used to replace the Party. Orwell uses the metonymy here to communicate the awfulness of the situation, one man has taken over the entire world and rules it harshly, scrutinizing every movement so thought even thoughts do not go unpunished. Orwell wants the reader to be horrified and seek to change their ways, and the ways of the world to avoid such a predicament in the future.
Inductive Reasoning
inductive reasoning: a form of reasoning which works from a body of fact to the formulation of a generalization (opposite of deduction); frequently used as the principle form of reasoning in science and history
"'In memory. Very well, then. We, the Party, control all records, and we control all memories. Then we control the past, do we not?'"
-1984
by George Orwell
Here O'Brien, a main character in 1984, reasons with Winston about the reality and finality of the past. The Party does in a sense control memories and records and they use this control to manipulate and "change" the past. Orwell shows this to send a wake-up call to his readers. He is trying to warn them of the future he perceives they are creating for the world. Orwell is warning against a government which controls people and matter and therefore events, history, and even future. Orwell uses this reasoning to make his readers think; though humanly impossible to control the past, by changing what people learn, read, and are able to see, one can force people to "forget" and accept what the "reliable" sources say is true. Orwell is forcing the reader to consider the validity of the claims made by O'Brien, and their possibilities in reality.
"'In memory. Very well, then. We, the Party, control all records, and we control all memories. Then we control the past, do we not?'"
-1984
by George Orwell
Here O'Brien, a main character in 1984, reasons with Winston about the reality and finality of the past. The Party does in a sense control memories and records and they use this control to manipulate and "change" the past. Orwell shows this to send a wake-up call to his readers. He is trying to warn them of the future he perceives they are creating for the world. Orwell is warning against a government which controls people and matter and therefore events, history, and even future. Orwell uses this reasoning to make his readers think; though humanly impossible to control the past, by changing what people learn, read, and are able to see, one can force people to "forget" and accept what the "reliable" sources say is true. Orwell is forcing the reader to consider the validity of the claims made by O'Brien, and their possibilities in reality.
Figure of Speech
figure of speech: a device used to produce figurative language. Example: apostrophe, metaphor, personification, simile, etc
"In the case of our old gentlewoman, after the excitement of new effort had subsided, the despondency of her whole life threatened, ever and anon, to return. It was like the heavy mass of cloud, which we may often see obscuring the sky, and making a gray twilight everywhere, until, towards nightfall, it yields temporarily to a glimpse of sunshine. But always, the envious cloud strives to gather again across the streak of celestial azure."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The figure of speech here consists of the comparison of Hepzibah's life and worrying and a cloud, darkening the earth. Hawthorne is using the figure of speech to show the circumstances and attitude of Hepzibah. The comparison helps the reader to know what she was feeling, allowing the reader to empathize with her and see her as more human, the reader feels sorry for her. She is depressed as her entire world is changing, the reader understands this and relates because of Hawthorne's use of the figure of speech.
"In the case of our old gentlewoman, after the excitement of new effort had subsided, the despondency of her whole life threatened, ever and anon, to return. It was like the heavy mass of cloud, which we may often see obscuring the sky, and making a gray twilight everywhere, until, towards nightfall, it yields temporarily to a glimpse of sunshine. But always, the envious cloud strives to gather again across the streak of celestial azure."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The figure of speech here consists of the comparison of Hepzibah's life and worrying and a cloud, darkening the earth. Hawthorne is using the figure of speech to show the circumstances and attitude of Hepzibah. The comparison helps the reader to know what she was feeling, allowing the reader to empathize with her and see her as more human, the reader feels sorry for her. She is depressed as her entire world is changing, the reader understands this and relates because of Hawthorne's use of the figure of speech.
Irony/Ironic
irony/ironic: the contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true. Also used to define tragic contrast between the aspirations of human beings and the dark elements of life that frustrate them; in addition, when used to describe to view of humanity in which limitations and posturings are seen as debasing and ridiculous, there is in the ironic view an element of mockery. Irony may be verbal, situational, or dramatic
"And his Aunt Polly she said Tom was right about old Miss Watson setting Jim free in her will; and so, sure enough, Tom Sawyer had gone and took all that trouble and bother to set a free nigger free! and I couldn't ever understand, before, until that minute and that talk, how he could help a body set a nigger free, with his bringing-up."
-Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
Twain informs the reader of Jim's freedom after he has been freed. Jim was set free by his mistress, but held captive and freed again, in a rather round-a-bout manner, by the only boy who knew of his original freedom. This is an example of situational irony. The irony lies in the fact that the characters went to quite a bit of trouble, including being shot and eating sawdust, only to free someone who was already legally free. Twain uses this to characterize Tom and emphasize his "hopeless romantic" side. Tom wanted the big daring escape, creating a rope ladder for an escape from a one-story shack, and digging a whole under the shack to help Jim escape, all the while knowing that Jim was perfectly free. Twain is showing that Tom is not particularly sensible, but is imaginative, and in a way, a leader.
"And his Aunt Polly she said Tom was right about old Miss Watson setting Jim free in her will; and so, sure enough, Tom Sawyer had gone and took all that trouble and bother to set a free nigger free! and I couldn't ever understand, before, until that minute and that talk, how he could help a body set a nigger free, with his bringing-up."
-Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
Twain informs the reader of Jim's freedom after he has been freed. Jim was set free by his mistress, but held captive and freed again, in a rather round-a-bout manner, by the only boy who knew of his original freedom. This is an example of situational irony. The irony lies in the fact that the characters went to quite a bit of trouble, including being shot and eating sawdust, only to free someone who was already legally free. Twain uses this to characterize Tom and emphasize his "hopeless romantic" side. Tom wanted the big daring escape, creating a rope ladder for an escape from a one-story shack, and digging a whole under the shack to help Jim escape, all the while knowing that Jim was perfectly free. Twain is showing that Tom is not particularly sensible, but is imaginative, and in a way, a leader.
Begging The Question
begging the question: often called circular reasoning, begging the question occurs when the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim. In other words, one assumes a statement to be true when it has not been proven to be so
"He was swelled with a tale he had heard from a reliable friend, who had heard it from a truthful cavalryman, who had heard it from his trustworthy brother, one of the orderlies at division headquarters."
-The Red Badge of Courage
by Stephen Crane
The tall soldiers message is only believable if his friend is believable, and his friend can only be considered believable if the tall soldier is considered believable. There are multiple layers of "begging the question" here, as the information is only believable if the original messenger is believable. The soldier's message cannot be taken seriously as we only have his word delivering the message and guaranteeing its validity. Crane uses this device to inject some humor into a serious and somber novel. Also, the device helps to display the various relationships in the army, setting the scene for "the youth's" enlightenment, cowardice, and heroism.
"He was swelled with a tale he had heard from a reliable friend, who had heard it from a truthful cavalryman, who had heard it from his trustworthy brother, one of the orderlies at division headquarters."
-The Red Badge of Courage
by Stephen Crane
The tall soldiers message is only believable if his friend is believable, and his friend can only be considered believable if the tall soldier is considered believable. There are multiple layers of "begging the question" here, as the information is only believable if the original messenger is believable. The soldier's message cannot be taken seriously as we only have his word delivering the message and guaranteeing its validity. Crane uses this device to inject some humor into a serious and somber novel. Also, the device helps to display the various relationships in the army, setting the scene for "the youth's" enlightenment, cowardice, and heroism.
Denotation
denotation: the strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word
"She seems to think that all the calamities of the Pyncheons began from that quarrel with the wizard, as you call him."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Dictionary.com defines a "quarrel" as "an angry dispute or altercation; a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations." However, the words connotation is that of a rather petty disagreement between people, that leads to mutual sulking. Hawthorne was most certainly not using this definition. The "wizard" put a curse on the Pyncheons, more than a petty quarrel, because of their unjust dealings with him and his family. The quarrel here most definitely is associated with its denotation. As it was a "permanent break in friendly relations" that followed the wizard's curse. The denotation of the word here, Hawthorne used to convey the seriousness of the "break."
"She seems to think that all the calamities of the Pyncheons began from that quarrel with the wizard, as you call him."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Dictionary.com defines a "quarrel" as "an angry dispute or altercation; a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations." However, the words connotation is that of a rather petty disagreement between people, that leads to mutual sulking. Hawthorne was most certainly not using this definition. The "wizard" put a curse on the Pyncheons, more than a petty quarrel, because of their unjust dealings with him and his family. The quarrel here most definitely is associated with its denotation. As it was a "permanent break in friendly relations" that followed the wizard's curse. The denotation of the word here, Hawthorne used to convey the seriousness of the "break."
Ellipsis
ellipsis: (1) in grammar, the omission of a word or words necessary for complete construction but understood in context; e.g., "If [it is] possible, [you] come early." (2) the sign [...] that something has been left out of a quotation; e.g.; "To be or not...that is the question."
"'Does he still seem happy?' he asked one day.
'As happy as a child,' answered Phoebe; 'but- like a child, too- very easily disturbed.'
'How disturbed?' inquired Holgrave.- 'By things without?-or by thoughts within?'"
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Phoebe leaves out "He is," and Holgrave omits "is he." Hawthorne most likely used ellipsis here to emulate natural speech. While not "proper grammar" the conversation sounds believable, and comfortable. Hawthorne was also trying to communicate some familiarity between the two speakers. He wanted to show that their relationship was progressing and they were on easy speaking terms, not formal small talk. Hawthorne is able to let the reader know the status of the familiarity between the two characters and make the conversation believable through his use of the ellipsis.
"'Does he still seem happy?' he asked one day.
'As happy as a child,' answered Phoebe; 'but- like a child, too- very easily disturbed.'
'How disturbed?' inquired Holgrave.- 'By things without?-or by thoughts within?'"
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Phoebe leaves out "He is," and Holgrave omits "is he." Hawthorne most likely used ellipsis here to emulate natural speech. While not "proper grammar" the conversation sounds believable, and comfortable. Hawthorne was also trying to communicate some familiarity between the two speakers. He wanted to show that their relationship was progressing and they were on easy speaking terms, not formal small talk. Hawthorne is able to let the reader know the status of the familiarity between the two characters and make the conversation believable through his use of the ellipsis.
Euphemism
euphemism: (from the Greek, "good speech") a more agreeable or less unpleasant substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept
"Will you understand, Winston, that no one whom we bring to this place ever leaves our hands uncured?"
-1984
by George Orwell
The euphemism here is "uncured." In reality, no one ever leaves the Thought police untortured, unscathed, unbroken, mentally stable, physically stable, emotionally aware, and many other things. Orwell chooses to have this message displayed in a euphemism as it reflects the thoughts of the totalitarian government. Orwell was trying to communicate that the world is headed toward a time when cured will mean broken, completely controllable, and tortured. He was trying to warn his contemporaries of what he saw as a probable future, by using the euphemism and communicating the way the government and the world will operate and interpret things.
"Will you understand, Winston, that no one whom we bring to this place ever leaves our hands uncured?"
-1984
by George Orwell
The euphemism here is "uncured." In reality, no one ever leaves the Thought police untortured, unscathed, unbroken, mentally stable, physically stable, emotionally aware, and many other things. Orwell chooses to have this message displayed in a euphemism as it reflects the thoughts of the totalitarian government. Orwell was trying to communicate that the world is headed toward a time when cured will mean broken, completely controllable, and tortured. He was trying to warn his contemporaries of what he saw as a probable future, by using the euphemism and communicating the way the government and the world will operate and interpret things.
Epigraph
epigraph: a quotation or aphorism at the beginning of a literary work that is suggestive of the theme
"Dark spruce forest frowned on either side the frozen waterway. Th trees had been stripped by a recent wind of their white covering of frost, and they seemed to lean toward each other, black and ominous, in the fading light. A vast silence reigned over the land. The land itself was a desolation, lifeless, without movement, so lone and cold that the spirit of it was not even that of sadness. There was a hint in it of laughter, but of a laughter more terrible than any sadness-a laughter that was mirthless as the smile of the Sphinx, a laughter cold as the frost and partaking of the grimness of infallibility. It was the masterful and incommunicable wisdom of eternity laughing at the futility of life and the effort of life. It was the Wild, the savage, frozen-hearted Northland Wild.
JACK LONDON,
White Fang
On the northern margin of the Alaska Range, just before the hulking ramparts of Mt. Mckinley and its satellites surrender to the low..."
-Into the Wild
by Jon Krakauer
The epigraph here is a passage from Jack London's White Fang. The use of the epigraph shows the harshness and unfeeling nature of nature, a major theme in the book. The book tells the story of a young man who, in search for his supposed ideals strands himself with little to no food and dies. The quote hints at this by showing that life, no matter the accomplishments during it, or its intentions for itself and mankind, is really very small, futile, and fragile. The quote shows the merciless quality of nature, the same thing the life of Chris McCandless, and Krakauer's account of it, reflected.
"Dark spruce forest frowned on either side the frozen waterway. Th trees had been stripped by a recent wind of their white covering of frost, and they seemed to lean toward each other, black and ominous, in the fading light. A vast silence reigned over the land. The land itself was a desolation, lifeless, without movement, so lone and cold that the spirit of it was not even that of sadness. There was a hint in it of laughter, but of a laughter more terrible than any sadness-a laughter that was mirthless as the smile of the Sphinx, a laughter cold as the frost and partaking of the grimness of infallibility. It was the masterful and incommunicable wisdom of eternity laughing at the futility of life and the effort of life. It was the Wild, the savage, frozen-hearted Northland Wild.
JACK LONDON,
White Fang
On the northern margin of the Alaska Range, just before the hulking ramparts of Mt. Mckinley and its satellites surrender to the low..."
-Into the Wild
by Jon Krakauer
The epigraph here is a passage from Jack London's White Fang. The use of the epigraph shows the harshness and unfeeling nature of nature, a major theme in the book. The book tells the story of a young man who, in search for his supposed ideals strands himself with little to no food and dies. The quote hints at this by showing that life, no matter the accomplishments during it, or its intentions for itself and mankind, is really very small, futile, and fragile. The quote shows the merciless quality of nature, the same thing the life of Chris McCandless, and Krakauer's account of it, reflected.
Flashback
flashback: returning to an earlier time in a narrative for the purpose of making something in the present clearer
J.d. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is in actuality a giant flashback. The narrator is recounting the events that lead up to his commitment to a mental institution. Salinger uses this to keep the reader from knowing that they are actually receiving advice and a story from a mentally unstable teenage boy. This lets the reader agree with the narrator and in the end shows how "crazy" the normal person really is. Salinger, through the use of the flashback, is able to hint at the mental instability of the narrator while still allowing the reader to empathize and find common ground with Holden. The reader, when the flashback ends, is shown a glimpse into their own minds and how close they really could be to mental breakdown.
J.d. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is in actuality a giant flashback. The narrator is recounting the events that lead up to his commitment to a mental institution. Salinger uses this to keep the reader from knowing that they are actually receiving advice and a story from a mentally unstable teenage boy. This lets the reader agree with the narrator and in the end shows how "crazy" the normal person really is. Salinger, through the use of the flashback, is able to hint at the mental instability of the narrator while still allowing the reader to empathize and find common ground with Holden. The reader, when the flashback ends, is shown a glimpse into their own minds and how close they really could be to mental breakdown.
Equivocation
equivocation: the use of the same term in two different senses in an argument
"I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ: I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land."
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
In the Appendix to his autobiography, Douglass uses the term Christianity in two ways. The term is used as the Christianity as the Bible teaches it and as Christianity as the slave owners teach it. Douglass does this to show that the slave owners still call themselves Christians, they deceive themselves and attempt to deceive others. Douglass also wants to point out the differences in the tow Christianities. Douglass wants his audience to see how slavery has its grip on everything, even what should be a loving religion.
"I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ: I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land."
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
In the Appendix to his autobiography, Douglass uses the term Christianity in two ways. The term is used as the Christianity as the Bible teaches it and as Christianity as the slave owners teach it. Douglass does this to show that the slave owners still call themselves Christians, they deceive themselves and attempt to deceive others. Douglass also wants to point out the differences in the tow Christianities. Douglass wants his audience to see how slavery has its grip on everything, even what should be a loving religion.
Connotation
connotation: the non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning
"Without such purposes, on her part, and unconsciously on his, she made the House of the Seven Gables like a home to him, and the garden a familiar precinct."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The dictionary.com definition of "home" is "a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household." However, Hawthorne mean much more than that Phoebe provided a place for Holgrave to dwell. Hawthorne means that Phoebe made the House of the Seven Gables pleasant to be in. This is a connotation; Hawthorne uses it to emphasize the growing relatinship between Holgrave and Phoebe. Generally a home houses family and memories, Phoebe was making their dwelling place reminiscent of this kind of home, where one feels one belongs. Hawthrone is also foreshadowing the time when Holgrave and Phoebe ultimately do share a home, as they become man and wife.
"Without such purposes, on her part, and unconsciously on his, she made the House of the Seven Gables like a home to him, and the garden a familiar precinct."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The dictionary.com definition of "home" is "a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household." However, Hawthorne mean much more than that Phoebe provided a place for Holgrave to dwell. Hawthorne means that Phoebe made the House of the Seven Gables pleasant to be in. This is a connotation; Hawthorne uses it to emphasize the growing relatinship between Holgrave and Phoebe. Generally a home houses family and memories, Phoebe was making their dwelling place reminiscent of this kind of home, where one feels one belongs. Hawthrone is also foreshadowing the time when Holgrave and Phoebe ultimately do share a home, as they become man and wife.
Clause
clause: a grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate, clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause. In the sample sentence, "Because I practiced hard, my AP scores were high," the independent clause in "my AP scores were high," and the dependent clause is "Because I practiced hard."
"To remove the liability of such misapprehensions, I deem it proper to append the following brief explanation."
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
The clause in this sentence is "I deem it proper to append the following brief explanation." Using the clause instead of a separate sentence links the two parts of the sentence together more strongly, emphasizing that he wants to make everything clear by explaining himself further. If the clause had been made a separate sentence, the Appendix (in which this appears) would seem more like an after thought and a covering of mistakes than a further explanation of what was originally stated.
"To remove the liability of such misapprehensions, I deem it proper to append the following brief explanation."
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
The clause in this sentence is "I deem it proper to append the following brief explanation." Using the clause instead of a separate sentence links the two parts of the sentence together more strongly, emphasizing that he wants to make everything clear by explaining himself further. If the clause had been made a separate sentence, the Appendix (in which this appears) would seem more like an after thought and a covering of mistakes than a further explanation of what was originally stated.
Genre
genre: the major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions are poetry, prose, and drama. However, subdivisions may also be called genres:prose can be divided into fiction (novels and short stories) and non-fiction (essays, biography, journals, autobiography, etc.)
The autobiography of Frederick Douglass is in the nonfiction prose genre. Douglass probably wrote this himself, thus classifying it as such, for multiple reasons. He wanted to show that it could be done by an American slave, that it was possible for a slave to rise and compete on a level field with Caucasians. He probably also wanted to make sure that his purpose was clear and communicated, and his book reliable. By writing the book himself he cuts out a middle man, ensuring that what he wants to say is clear. Douglass wanted his book to bring people to the realization that slavery is bad, and to enable people to prove that slavery is bad, as many claimed that the slaves were content. Writing the book himself causes the book to take on the genre of a reliable research book, not a fictionalized, or second-hand account.
The autobiography of Frederick Douglass is in the nonfiction prose genre. Douglass probably wrote this himself, thus classifying it as such, for multiple reasons. He wanted to show that it could be done by an American slave, that it was possible for a slave to rise and compete on a level field with Caucasians. He probably also wanted to make sure that his purpose was clear and communicated, and his book reliable. By writing the book himself he cuts out a middle man, ensuring that what he wants to say is clear. Douglass wanted his book to bring people to the realization that slavery is bad, and to enable people to prove that slavery is bad, as many claimed that the slaves were content. Writing the book himself causes the book to take on the genre of a reliable research book, not a fictionalized, or second-hand account.
Predicate Nominative
predicate nominative: a second type of subject complement-a noun, group of nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject. It, like the predicate adjective follows a linking verb and is located in the predicate of the sentence. For example, in the sentence, "Abe Lincoln was a man of integrity," the predicate nominative is "man of integrity," as it renames Abe Lincoln
"Little Phoebe was one of those persons who possess, as their exclusive patrimony, the gift of practical arrangement. It is a kind of natural magic that enables these favored ones to bring out the hidden capabilities of things around them..."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Phoebe is here renamed a "favored [one]," in regards to her ability to bring out the best in her surroundings. This phrase reinforces the tone of the story, as a romantic one, and provides characterization and foreshadowing. Phoebe is characterized as a bright person, able to make her surroundings brighter. The phrase also hints at the possibility of an improved life for Hepzibah, Clifford, and, in a sense, the house itself. Phoebe, the "favored one" has the ability to drastically improve the lives of others, and is, therefore, cast early on as the heroine of the story.
"Little Phoebe was one of those persons who possess, as their exclusive patrimony, the gift of practical arrangement. It is a kind of natural magic that enables these favored ones to bring out the hidden capabilities of things around them..."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Phoebe is here renamed a "favored [one]," in regards to her ability to bring out the best in her surroundings. This phrase reinforces the tone of the story, as a romantic one, and provides characterization and foreshadowing. Phoebe is characterized as a bright person, able to make her surroundings brighter. The phrase also hints at the possibility of an improved life for Hepzibah, Clifford, and, in a sense, the house itself. Phoebe, the "favored one" has the ability to drastically improve the lives of others, and is, therefore, cast early on as the heroine of the story.
Red Herring
red herring: the fallacy of raising an irrelevent issue to draw attention away from the real issue
"'If you'd been in town at first, Levi Bell-'
The King broke in and reached out his hand, and says:
'Why is this my poor dead brother's old friend that he's wrote so much about?'"
-Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
In this passage the "king" and "duke" are being interrogated to determine if they are who they pretend to be. The king is here changing the subject by insinuating that he has heard of the lawyer. This action both reinforces his alias as the brother of the deceased, and therefore the heir of a fortune, and moves the subject further from questioning. The king is trying to dodge questions to escape with his life and as much wealth as possible. Twain uses this technique here to show the craftiness of the con men; they are not complete amateurs, but experienced and dangerous. He is using this as characterization by showing the depths of deception the con men will go to.
"'If you'd been in town at first, Levi Bell-'
The King broke in and reached out his hand, and says:
'Why is this my poor dead brother's old friend that he's wrote so much about?'"
-Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
In this passage the "king" and "duke" are being interrogated to determine if they are who they pretend to be. The king is here changing the subject by insinuating that he has heard of the lawyer. This action both reinforces his alias as the brother of the deceased, and therefore the heir of a fortune, and moves the subject further from questioning. The king is trying to dodge questions to escape with his life and as much wealth as possible. Twain uses this technique here to show the craftiness of the con men; they are not complete amateurs, but experienced and dangerous. He is using this as characterization by showing the depths of deception the con men will go to.
Classification
classification: arrangement of material into groups; e.g., media classified as print, video, or audio, with representative examples of each
"What I have said respecting and against religion, I mean strictly to apply to the slaveholding religion of this land, and with no possible reference to Christianity proper; for, between the Christianity of this land...I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land."
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
In this passage Douglass is clarifying his accusations against Christianity by classifying Christianity into two separate entities. He classifies the one as good and proper, "Christianity proper," and the other as evil and hypocritical, "Christianity of this land." By classifying Douglass is saving himself from much scorn, as his audience, mostly Northern Christians would have denounced him quickly if his claims were misunderstood to apply to "Christianity proper." This also ensures that his audience is listening, and hopefully realizing the depths of the slaveholders that would twist the Christianity, so beloved by his audience, into a contradictory, harmful mess.
"What I have said respecting and against religion, I mean strictly to apply to the slaveholding religion of this land, and with no possible reference to Christianity proper; for, between the Christianity of this land...I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land."
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
In this passage Douglass is clarifying his accusations against Christianity by classifying Christianity into two separate entities. He classifies the one as good and proper, "Christianity proper," and the other as evil and hypocritical, "Christianity of this land." By classifying Douglass is saving himself from much scorn, as his audience, mostly Northern Christians would have denounced him quickly if his claims were misunderstood to apply to "Christianity proper." This also ensures that his audience is listening, and hopefully realizing the depths of the slaveholders that would twist the Christianity, so beloved by his audience, into a contradictory, harmful mess.
Caricature
caricature: a grotesque likeness of striking characteristics in persons or things
carickature.blogspot.com
This caricature, by Richard Ewing, displays Hester Prynne in a grotesque image. She is depicted as a woman somewhat aloof and very wounded. Her scarlet letter is here etched into her skin, on her neck, and she is hopelessly attempting to cover it with her hand. This caricature communicates that Hester was a wounded woman, who could not cover her sin. The character also looks suspicious as though wary of the world and its opinions. This picture also highlights Hester Prynne's strong nature, as the woman is trying to cover herself, but is still standing straight and tall. She is aware of her sin, however, quite ready to bear the burden it entails.
carickature.blogspot.com
This caricature, by Richard Ewing, displays Hester Prynne in a grotesque image. She is depicted as a woman somewhat aloof and very wounded. Her scarlet letter is here etched into her skin, on her neck, and she is hopelessly attempting to cover it with her hand. This caricature communicates that Hester was a wounded woman, who could not cover her sin. The character also looks suspicious as though wary of the world and its opinions. This picture also highlights Hester Prynne's strong nature, as the woman is trying to cover herself, but is still standing straight and tall. She is aware of her sin, however, quite ready to bear the burden it entails.
Figurative Language
figurative language: writing or speech not intended to convey literal meaning, usually imaginative and vivid
"This natural tunefulness made Phoebe sing like a bird in a shadowy tree; or conveyed the idea that the stream of life warbled through her heart as a brook sometimes warbles through a pleasant little dell..."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables is full of figurative language. This is a device characteristic of romances, of which Hawthorne's novel is a shining example. The figurative language helps the reader to experience the story rather than observe it, as is the case in other genres. Hawthorne uses the figurative language to give the reader a more complete view of the scene and the world of his characters. The figurative language also can be a form of characterization, as the reader learns from the section above that Phoebe is a marvelous singer.
"This natural tunefulness made Phoebe sing like a bird in a shadowy tree; or conveyed the idea that the stream of life warbled through her heart as a brook sometimes warbles through a pleasant little dell..."
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables is full of figurative language. This is a device characteristic of romances, of which Hawthorne's novel is a shining example. The figurative language helps the reader to experience the story rather than observe it, as is the case in other genres. Hawthorne uses the figurative language to give the reader a more complete view of the scene and the world of his characters. The figurative language also can be a form of characterization, as the reader learns from the section above that Phoebe is a marvelous singer.
Rhetoric
rhetoric: the art of effective communication, especially persuasive discourse. Rhetoric focuses on the interrelationship of invention, arrangement, and style in order to create felicitous and appropriate discourse
"I am filled with unutterable loathing when I contemplate the religious pomp and show, together with the horrible inconsistencies, which every where surround me. We have men-stealers for ministers, women-whippers for missionaries, and cradle-plunderers for church -members. The man who wields the blood-clotted cowskin during the week fills the pulpit on Sunday, and claims to be a minister of the meek and lowly Jesus..."
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
Douglass uses multiple techniques to communicate why slavery is evil and the Christianity of slave holders is hypocritical. In the above passage Douglass uses imagery, parallelism, and synecdoche, to name a few, to convince his audience that slavery and the Christianity of slave owners are evil. Douglass effectively communicates his message to his Caucasian, Northern Christian audience. These people would have been utterly horrified at Douglass' oration, proving Douglass' ability with rhetoric.
"I am filled with unutterable loathing when I contemplate the religious pomp and show, together with the horrible inconsistencies, which every where surround me. We have men-stealers for ministers, women-whippers for missionaries, and cradle-plunderers for church -members. The man who wields the blood-clotted cowskin during the week fills the pulpit on Sunday, and claims to be a minister of the meek and lowly Jesus..."
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
Douglass uses multiple techniques to communicate why slavery is evil and the Christianity of slave holders is hypocritical. In the above passage Douglass uses imagery, parallelism, and synecdoche, to name a few, to convince his audience that slavery and the Christianity of slave owners are evil. Douglass effectively communicates his message to his Caucasian, Northern Christian audience. These people would have been utterly horrified at Douglass' oration, proving Douglass' ability with rhetoric.
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