Epigraph

DEFINITION

An epigraph is a literary device in the form of a poem, quotation or sentence which is placed at the beginning of a piece of writing. It can be used as a summary, introduction, or an association to what the story will be about. It can sometimes foreshadow the theme of the story.

EXAMPLE - From the Lord of the Rings series

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,

Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,

Nine for the Mortal Men doomed to die,

One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

FUNCTION

This epigraph is at the beginning of each book of the series. “One Ring” is repeated three times which lets readers know it is going to be important. The epigraph explains that if the Dark Lord gets the opportunity to control the One Ring, he will be able rule all of Middle-earth. This instantly lets readers know the story is going to be centered around the “One Ring.”

ANOTHER EXAMPLE

“Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her; If you can bounce high, bounce for her too, Till she cry ‘Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover, I must have you!’” -The Great Gatsby

This epigraph foreshadows Gatsby’s approach to winning over Daisy which is exactly that of the gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover, desperate to try anything - including buying a giant mansion next door and throwing weekly parties in the vague hope that she would show up.

NON-ORIGINAL MNEMONIC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fN6kz1qpIA

(stop at 51 seconds)

ORIGINAL MNEMONIC

Extraordinary

Part

In

Good

Reading

Able to

Predict what

Happens

Poetic Justice

Definition:

A literary technique in which the actions of a character are either rewarded or inversely punished. It is often accompanied by an ironic twist of fate related to the actions of the character. This technique is often used to inspire good moral values.

Example in Lord of the Rings

Poetic justice can be found in The Fellowship of the Ring in the character Boromir. Boromir is driven to be part of the fellowship in a search for the power that the ring holds. Eventually, his thirst for power leads Boromir to attempt to steal the ring from Frodo. Soon after these evil actions, the man meets an untimely death at the hands of the Orcs despite his best efforts to right his past wrongs by defending Merry and Pippin.

Function

Tolkien uses the death of Boromir to spark the breaking of the fellowship; however, he also uses Boromir’s previous actions in order to create a sense of poetic justice. Although readers might mourn the death of Boromir, they can also see the reason that Boromir had to meet this end. As a result of the hold that the Ring had on Boromir he could have easily, in some way, kept Frodo from completing his quest. It also gives the reader a better sense of good morals and encourages the reader to avoid seeking power.

Another Example: Shakespeare’s King Lear

‘“My name is Edgar, and thy father’s son.

The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices

Make instruments to plague us.

The dark and vicious place where thee he got

Cost him his eyes.”’

Original Mnemonic

“I tried to burn a pile of poetry, but justice was immediately served as I set myself aflame.”

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing

Definition: An advanced sign or warning of what is to come in the future. This appears at the start of a chapter or story to hint at what is to come later, and to allow the reader to develop his own ideas and expectations for the plot. Any event, chapter title, or action in a book may hint towards what lies ahead. It can create mystery and tension in a story or it can make the story seem tied together at the end.

Examples:

Pride and Prejudice

“If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose

the opportunity of fixing him… Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly, but he may never

more than like her, if she does not help him on”
.

Romeo and Juliet

“Life were better ended by their hate,

Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love”

Function:  

In Pride and Prejudice Mr. Bingley leaves Jane and goes to London because he believes Jane does not care for him because she hid her feelings for him. This is foreshadowing because Jane is warned of what may happen to her, but it is not directly stated.

Romeo states to Juliet he would rather die soon with her love than to die later never having it. This is foreshadowing because he will die very soon because of their love.

Non-original mnemonic

Original Mnemonic:

F-Future

O-Occurring

R-Realistic

E-Events

S-Showing

H-How

A-And

D-Describing

O-One’s

W-World