Anastrophe

Anastrophe

Definition
A literary device in which the normal order of words is reversed in order to achieve a particular effect of emphasis or meter.

Example from The Two Towers

“Like a deer he sprang away. Through the trees he sped. On and on he led them, tireless and swift, now that his mind was at last made up” (410).

Function

In this example anastrophe is used to bring attention to how fast they were when searching for the others. Tolkien switches the order of the verb and subject to emphasize the verbs in the sentence.

Another Example
Middle Eastern Anastrophe
by Ramsey Collins

Love you they don’t.

Kill you they will.

Hear us they won’t.

Old holes be filled.

Freedom you want.

Fetters they like.

On be the hunt.

Long be the hike.

Non-Original Mnemonic 

can be found here

Origianl Mnemonic

From this, I have learned a lot

Euphemism

Euphemism

Definition

A polite, indirect expression which replaces words and phrases considered harsh and impolite or which suggest something unpleasant.

Example- from Jane Eyre

“She kissed me, and I her, and we both soon slumbered.” (59)

Function

In the example from Jane Eyre, euphemism is used rarely and subtly. The line above is referring to when Helen was on her deathbed and Jane was lying with her. They were saying goodnight to each other, which also was their goodbye. In Jane’s narration above, the word “slumbered” referred to Helen passing away, it is a euphemism for her death. Charlotte Bronte used a euphemism here to indirectly talk about Helen’s death and add a more artistic element to the text.

Another example

“You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire.” Harper Lee wrote that Atticus Finch used the euphemism “Negro” to refer to a race of people and although that is historically accurate, a modern-day Atticus Finch would use the more currently accepted euphemism of “African-American” to refer to this race of people. 

Non-original mnemonic

Can be found here

Original mnemonic

Eu (you) phemism (feminism)

Are you a feminist?

Instead, you could ask: Are you in favor of women’s rights? It sounds less harsh on that topic in today’s society.

Chiasmus

Definition

a rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form

Example- from Jane Eyre

“At last coffee is brought in, and the gentlemen are summoned” and “Where is Mr Rochester? He comes in last” (165).

Function

In the example from Jane Eyre chiasmus is used very subtly. In it the word “last” is used in both quotes, but it comes in different parts of the clauses. This adds an artistic effect to Charlotte Bronte’s work by balancing the two clauses against each other.

Another example

“I meant what I said, and I said what I meant.” In this example from Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hatches the Egg, the elephant, Horton, was explaining through a chiasmus that he meant what he said in a more artistic way.

Non-original mnemonic

Can be found here

Original mnemonic

C- chiasmus

H- helps

I- in 

A- applying

S- stylish (and)

M - multiple

U- uses (in)

S- stories

Hamartia

Hamartia

Hamartia

Definition

A fatal flaw of a character that leads to the downfall of that character.

Example- from Canterbury Tales

“I’ll up and put my dagger through his back

While you and he are struggling as in game;

Then draw your dagger too and do the same.

Then all the money will be ours to spend” (227-230)

“They fell on him and slew him, two to one.

Then said the first of them when this was done,

‘Now for a drink. Sit down and let's be merry

For later on there’ll be a corpse to bury.’

And, as it happened, reaching for a sup,

He took a bottle full of poison up

And drank; and his companion, nothing loth,

Drank from it also, and they perished both.”

Function

In the example of The Pardoner’s Tale the characters allow greed to overtake them which eventually leads to a twist that results in their death. Greed is the fatal flaw of the characters and it leads to the death of the characters, which is the downfall. This allows the reader to pity the characters because of the result, but it also allows the reader to learn from the characters mistakes so that he/she does not do the same in their life.

Another example

“‘Oh, you are indeed, my love’ said Sméagol; and he caught Déagol by the throat and strangled him, because the gold looked so bright and beautiful. Then he put the ring on his finger.” (Tolkien 52)

Non-original mnemonic

Original mnemonic

Harmful

And

Mean

Attributes are

Reasons

Towards

Inevitable

Atrophy

Cacophony

Cacophony

Definition

A situation in literature in where harsh and discordant sounds in words are used to create a hissing and/or unmelodious feeling to the text. Cacophony uses single consonants or combinations of consonants that require effort to deliver correctly.

Example- from Canterbury Tales

"And what Hippocrates and Rufus knew and Dioscorides, now dead and gone, Galen and Rahzes, Hali, Serapion, Averroes, Avicenna, Constantine, Scotch Bernard, John of Gaddesden, Gilbertine" (440-444).

"No quicksilver, lead ointments, tartar creams, Boracic, no, nor brimstone, so it seems, could make a salve that had the power to bite, clean up or cure his whelks of knobby white or purge the pimples sitting on he cheeks" (645-649).

Function

In the first example, the use of cacophony is quite basic. The many uses of the letters g, r, s, j, and the combination sc create a very unappealing sound to the reader that may end up creating a sense of brokenness to the text. The second example uses cacophony in a way that emphasizes the nastiness of the Summoner's blemishes. The use of cacophony makes the cures (Boracic and brimstone) sound very strong and powerful, yet they still can not clear up the Summoner's face.

Another example

"It came to the edge of the fire and the light faded as if a cloud had bent over it. Then with a rush it leaped across the fissure. The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed about it; and a black smoke swirled in the air. Its streaming mane kindled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire; in its left it held a whip of many thongs" (Tolkien 320).

Non-original mnemonic

Original mnemonic

CAC-OPHONY sounds like a nasty cough and a sneeze mixed together. No one likes to hear coughing and sneezing.

Analogy

Analogy

DefinitionA comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Example from Canterbury Tales

"I don't begrudge them their virginity;They're bread from the finest wheat, so be it said,And let us wives be known as barley bread." (143-145). (Unabridged).FunctionIn this example from The Wife of Bath's prologue in Canterbury Tales uses the analogy between a virgin and bread to explain that, in her opinion, a man values a virgin over a woman who has already been married before. In the time of Canterbury Tales, the finest wheat would be much more sought after than the regular barley bread that the peasants were accustomed to. The analogy makes it clear to the audience in more simple terms what the average medieval man thought, according to the Wife of Bath.Another Example"Even Frodo feared no danger yet, for they were still in the heart of the Shire." The Fellowship of the Ring (71). The phrase "heart of the Shire" refers to their location as centrally inside the Shire, as the heart is central in the body. The phrase is also an analogy regarding safety, as the heart is the most protected part of the body.Non-Original MnemonicCan be found here. Original MnemonicAn analogy is to writing, as paint is to a painting. 

Exemplum

Exemplum

Exemplum

Definition

An example, model, short tale, narrative, or anecdote used in literary pieces and speeches to explain a doctrine or emphasize a moral point. 

Example from Canterbury Tales

"He would allow-just for a quart of wine-
Any good lad to keep a concubine
A twelvemonth and dispense it altogether!
Yet he could pluck a finch to leave no feather:
And if he found no rascal with a maid
He would instruct him not to be afraid"
(665-670)

"The Pardoner's Tale" story

Function

In Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, the stories of “The Summoner” and “The Friar” being greedy and evil are a direct slam of the Catholic Church during the 14th century in Europe. Chaucer makes it clear that he is against the way the Church was operating. In The Pardoner's Tale, the exemplum is that greed is the most horrendous of all evils because all of the men who wanted the treasure ended up killing each other, thus showing that none of them were rewarded in the end.

Another example

A boy called out "Wolf!" to scare the local villagers, even though there was no wolf. He did this many times. One day, a wolf actually did come up to the boy, and he yelled "Wolf! Wolf!", but nobody came to help him, because they thought he was lying again. 

This is possibly the most famous exemplum of them all, along with the story of the tortoise and the hare. 

Non-original mnemonic

Original mnemonic

Exemplum Example

Posted by Andy Nuber

Alliteration

 Alliteration

Definition

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

Example from Canterbury Tales

"At meat her manners were well-taught withal,;

No morsel from her lips did she let fall," 

(65)

Function

In this excerpt from Canterbury Tales, the repetition of the /m/ sound in "meat her manners" and the /w/ sound in "were well-taught withal" create an overall flow and make the text easier and more enjoyable to read. The use of alliteration creates a musical effect and makes the text more attractive and appealing. In general, it provides emphasis on a particular point being made or makes some aspect of the work more memorable.

Another example

"'Don't lie to me,' Myrtle gasped, tears now flooding down her face, while Peeves chuckled happily over her shoulder. 'D'you think I don't know what people call me behind my back? Fat Myrtle! Ugly Myrtle! Miserable, moaning, moping Myrtle!'" 

                                                        -Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling

Non-original mnemonic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGJu6LzUfYM 

Original mnemonic

Alliterations Are Always Appealing, Attractive, And Awesome!

Posted by Your Renee Lemke

Anaphora

Anaphora

Definition 

The deliberate repetition of the first part of a sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect

Example from Canterbury Tales

“O cursed sin! O blackguardly excess!

O treacherous homicide! O wickedness!

O gluttony that lusted on and diced!

O blasphemy that took the name of Christ”

(347-350)

Function

In these lines from Canterbury Tales, the repetition of the word O is used to draw attention and give prominence to the terrible sins that eventually led to the death of Christ. Phrases with anaphora tend to be short and pointed for dramatic emphasis. In general, anaphora is used both to emphasize ideas and add rhythm to literature, which makes the text more enjoyable to read and easier to remember. In writing it provides an artistic effect; in speech it can be used as a persuasive tactic or emotional appeal.

Another example 

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

-Great Expectations, Charles Dickens

Non-original mnemonic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVfRbctO23I

Original mnemonic

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/19kXZZ-i84b9nqxPIWrrZZ1Y9PbH4P8yLSl3Qj9o3MkY/edit

Omniscient

Omniscient

Definition

To be omniscient is to know everything. In literature, an omniscient point of view or narration is one in which the narrator knows the thoughts and actions of every character in the narrative. This is called third person omniscient, and was arguably the most popular point of view in novels until the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. A third person omniscient narrator can freely jump between different characters’ minds, either in different chapters or even in the same scene. This creates a sense that the narrator is godlike and creates some trust that the narrator is objective and telling the truth. However, it can also be jolting to see into different characters’ thoughts in quick succession.

Example – from Mary Barton

‘How dare you say he shot Mr. Harry?’ “asked Mary, firing up from the state of languid indifference into which she had sunk while Sally had been settling about her dress.”  ‘But it’s no matter what you think, as did not know him. What grieves me is, that people should go on thinking him guilty as did know him,’ “she said, sinking back into her former depressed tone and manner.”

‘And don’t you think he did it?’ asked Sally (Gaskell 276).”

Function

The narrator of "Mary Barton" takes the third person omniscient form, in which the narrator is all-knowing and all-seeing. This narrator knows the thoughts of all the characters, notwithstanding their class. For example, “Mary went very red, and looked annoyed, although there was a secret spring of joy deep down in her heart, at hearing Jem so spoken of.” Her narration is full of pity and sympathy as she anguishes over the great divide between the lower and upper class. The narrator also attempts to present the classes authentically, as she records the local dialect of the working class.

Another example

“You are a slow learner, Winston."

"How can I help it? How can I help but see what is in front of my eyes? Two and two arfour."

"Sometimes, Winston. Sometimes they are five. Sometimes they are three. Sometimes they are all of them at once. You must try harder. It is not easy to become sane.”   

- George Orwell’s 1984

Non-original mnemonic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBRX17AnXPY

Original mnemonic

O- Old

M- Mr.

N- Nauman

I- Is

S- Smart

C- (and) clever

I- In

E- Everything

N- Not

T- Told

Understatement

Understatement

Definition

Understatement is a way of speaking which minimizes the significance of something. When using understatement, a speaker or writer often employs restraint in describing the situation at hand and uses an expression with less emphasis or strength than would be expected. Understatement is common in many different languages and has been found in very ancient literatures from several different cultures. For example, examples of understatement can be found in the Old English epics like Beowulf as well as ancient Greek texts by Homer. Sometimes authors use understatement for humorous reasons, though more often it is a technique for minimizing one thing, thereby emphasizing another.

Example – from All Creatures Great and Small

“Well, how did the exams go?”

Tristan swallowed carefully and took a deep breath. “Did all right in parasitology,” he replied in a flat monotone.

“How about pathology?”

“Didn’t get it,” he said tonelessly.

“So you failed pathology,” he said conversationally (40-41).

Function

Tristan’s speech is characterized by frequent understatements, as he often fails to grasp the seriousness of a situation. A key example is when Tristan claims he “did all right in parasitology” when he actually failed this class, along with his other subjects. Throughout the book Tristan thinks nothing is a big deal, while Herriot understands the situation and tries to help Tristan with his training to become a veterinarian.

Another example

“There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes,

A wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes.

This terror of the hall-troops had come far.

A foundling to start with, he would flourish later on

As his powers waxed and his worth was proved.

In the end each clan on the outlying coasts

Beyond the whale-road had to yield to him

And begin to pay tribute.  That was one good king.”

This example of understatement comes from the very beginning of the epic Beowulf. The author explicitly states all of Shield Sheafson’s amazing qualities and ends simply with “That was one good king.”

Non-original mnemonic

Original mnemonic

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/10XpjOtWGO2Xx63LcZ-ALh85mRSd4NfeW6ftNUFU6vpo/edit