Literary Devices essays

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4 Pages 1740 Words
The poem titled Ithaca by Constantine Cavafy was written in 1911. In this sonnet, the great poet of all times alludes to the “importance of enjoying the trip, any trip, and not only longing for a journey’s end” (González De León, 2017). This illustration can be extended to a variety of processes in life, save to say that as much...
Literary DevicesMetaphorThe Odyssey
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1 Page 501 Words
This extract is from ‘Beasts are Rational’ which is part of Plutarch’s collection of essays known as on Moralia. The compilation consists of literary works and touches on political, religious, and ethical issues. The publication date is thought to be around 100 AD. In this text, Plutarch casts an ironic view on human life and behavior, as well as that,...
IronyLiterary DevicesThe Odyssey
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1 Page 575 Words
Introduction Robert Hayden's poem "Those Winter Sundays" is a poignant and introspective exploration of a complex father-child relationship. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful figurative language, Hayden captures the nuances of the speaker's emotions and the depth of their connection. In this critical essay, we will delve into the various types of figurative language employed in the poem,...
Literary DevicesPoetryThose Winter Sundays
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2 Pages 998 Words
Psychological tests observe emotions and behaviors to help diagnose a patient and create a guide for treatment. However, you cannot be assessed correctly because you are not as important, you’ll be treated like a child, and your emotions are automatically invalidated. In the 19th century, that is what women went through when being psychologically evaluated, if a woman were going...
1 Page 539 Words
On its cosmic pedestal, the sun was like the fire that had sent us out of the sky, only worse. It wore and dried us up in the desert for who knows how long. With twenty other people, it was something like a bad dream. So when it came over the mountains like a cupped hand of salvation, we all...
Literary CriticismLiterary DevicesThe Pearl
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1 Page 410 Words
All traditions have an intention and a purpose dedicated to the current time period, but it may come to a point where practice is no longer justified. In 'The Lottery', a short story written by Shirley Jackson, a rural town of 300 is 'celebrating' the killing of one member, which is believed to ensure a profitable harvest for the year....
Literary DevicesShirley JacksonThe Lottery
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1 Page 483 Words
Introduction William Shakespeare once said, "Expectation is the root of all heartache." This quote encapsulates the central theme of John Steinbeck's novella, "Of Mice and Men," which delves into the pursuit of the American Dream amidst the harsh realities of the Great Depression. Through the use of symbolism and characterization, Steinbeck explores the futile nature of chasing dreams and the...
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1 Page 440 Words
Robert Frost was one of America's rare public literary figures' born on March 26, 1874. Frost was the only poet to receive four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. In 1960, President John F. Kennedy presented Frost with the United States Congressional Gold Medal in appreciation of his poetry, which he received in March 1962. Frost’s 'The Road Not Taken,' presented many...
Literary DevicesPoetryThe Road Not Taken
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6 Pages 2929 Words
In Song of Solomon and Beloved, Morrison alludes to biblical references, which gives her novels a spiritual side. Toni Morrison’s fifth novel Beloved is a heart-rending story, inspired by a real-life incident in the life of an ex-slave, Margaret Garner, who killed her two children with a shovel in an attempt to run away from the bondage of her slave...
BelovedBibleLiterary Devices
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3 Pages 1211 Words
The Odyssey, an epic poem by Homer that details Odysseus’ quest for homecoming after the Trojan War, is a work that has remained relevant for thousands of years because of its ability to examine and discuss many different important aspects of being human. The hero of the narrative experiences heartbreak, fear, and eventually victory as he completes this decade-long journey....
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4 Pages 2010 Words
The importance of the symbol that Marigold portrays? The marigold symbolizes the idea that although Pecola, Frieda, and Claudia may work very hard in their community to grow and prosper, it may never happen. The marigold had good seeds, was cared for, and was planted with good intentions, but because of the location where the marigold was planted, it never...
Literary DevicesRhetoricThe Bluest Eye
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2 Pages 926 Words
Does a man who brutally murdered four humans-for the sole reason that he had the power to-deserve any ounce of sympathy? “In Cold Blood”, Truman Capote uses “pathos” to appeal to the emotions of the readers about the two murderers, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock. Capote certainly sympathizes with and portrays one of the cold-blooded murderers in a positive light...
In Cold BloodLiterary DevicesRhetoric
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2 Pages 809 Words
Louise Glück’s poem "Circe's Power" stands as a poignant exploration of transformation, power dynamics, and identity through the lens of a classical mythological figure. Glück, a revered contemporary poet, often delves into themes of human vulnerability, desire, and the complexities of selfhood. In "Circe's Power," she reimagines the myth of Circe, the enchantress from Homer’s "Odyssey," who transforms Odysseus’s men...
Literary DevicesRebellion
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1 Page 685 Words
Max Shulman’s short story "Love is a Fallacy" is a satirical piece that intricately weaves humor with a critique of human nature, particularly on the themes of love, logic, and societal expectations. The narrative revolves around the protagonist, who is a self-proclaimed logical thinker, and his efforts to win over Polly Espy, a seemingly naive and unintelligent girl. The protagonist’s...
Literary DevicesShort Story
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2 Pages 779 Words
In literary terms, “The Day” is perhaps the most vivid estimation of the scope and transience of time and correlating with it the course of the various aspects of life, such as the day’s activities. The poet uses imagery that makes one think of each and every kiss, each and every touch, each and every moment of existence in its...
Literary DevicesSymbolism
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2 Pages 1044 Words
After the Cold War, there was an influx of conservatism, and traditional norms opposing change or innovation, which deterred many African Americans from taking part in United States society, especially in the South. Because whites were having the times of their life, during the 1950s more referred to as the “Golden Age”, many of them had the privilege of owning...
2 Pages 786 Words
For a reader to be able to completely understand and appreciate the struggles and outcomes of WW2, grading has explored key themes such as hope, loss, and relationships to highlight how Yael has managed to survive in a deadly time. In the novel speculative fiction is a central element that makes the reader question what truly could have been a...
HopeLiterary DevicesMetaphor
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3 Pages 1527 Words
Mindstyle refers to the term coined by Roger Fowler, in 1977, which referred to any distinctive linguistic representation of an individual mental self, whether of a character, narrator, or implied author. The impression of a mindstyle is usually cumulatively conveyed through consistent linguistic choices which together cut the narrated world to a distinctive cognitive pattern. To first discuss the particular...
2 Pages 1000 Words
Stylistic analysis has a great role in understanding the importance of the literary elements as well as the linguistic contents in literary text. An attempt is made in the current paper to stylistically analyze the literary elements used in the concerned short story. Introduction Stylistic analysis is of great importance to know how language functions in a text. It provides...
2 Pages 928 Words
The book begins with an introduction by the author. While it is not part of the actual story, it is worth looking into because it describes the author’s thoughts and comments on his success and the true meaning of the book and its application to his life. The Prologue introduces the alchemist and tells a new version of the Greek...
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1 Page 595 Words
There are different reasons to send and receive roses. Certainly, they are not only used to convey sympathy and love, but they are even more present in events of tragedy and sorrow. Moreover, A thorny rose needs a special way to deal with it. In William Faulkner's 'A Rose for Emily” the word “rose” rarely appears but an attempt to...
2 Pages 844 Words
Introduction Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" is a masterpiece of Gothic literature, renowned for its intense exploration of the human psyche and its demonstration of the complexities of guilt and paranoia. Central to the story’s impact is Poe's adept use of figurative language, which enhances the narrative's psychological depth and emotional intensity. Through metaphors, similes, personification, and hyperbole, Poe...
1 Page 614 Words
Introduction: William Shakespeare's play 'Julius Caesar' is a masterful work of literature known for its intricate characterization, political intrigue, and profound themes. Among the many literary devices employed by Shakespeare, parallelism emerges as a significant technique that adds depth and complexity to the play. This essay critically examines the use of parallelism in 'Julius Caesar,' exploring its role in character...
5 Pages 2106 Words
During the late 1800s women and men were not equal, they lived in a society where women were defined as housewives and were expected to take care of their children and husbands for the rest of their lives. The issue connects with the experience of the narrator in the short story The Yellow Wallpaper, written in 1892 by Charlotte Perkins...
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1 Page 401 Words
“Beloved,” was written by Toni Morrison in 1987 and it is based on a true story. This difficult and gruesome novel tells the story of Margaret Garner, a young mother, who escaped from slavery. She was arrested for killing one of her children, attempting to kill all, rather than let them return to slavery. In her twisted way, she demonstrates...
BelovedLiterary CriticismLiterary Devices
like 137
2 Pages 915 Words
Poetry Foundation presents William Shakespeare’s famous poem, Sonnet 130, titled “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun.” According to Spacey, the poem talks of a mistress who does not conform to the conventional standards of beauty. Shakespeare compares the mistress with the beautiful things of life, but he finds none that perfectly fits the mistress. In this regard, Shakespeare...
Literary DevicesPoetrySonnet
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3 Pages 1331 Words
Mending Wall is a poem by Robert Frost. Robert Frost: Robert Frost was a leading American poet of the 19th & 20th centuries who is well known for his use of imagery in poetry. He dabbled with both farming and was also an English teacher but was always convinced that his real calling was to be a poet. He is...
Literary CriticismLiterary DevicesMetaphor
like 320
2 Pages 809 Words
All people are born evil. It is the environment and society that people grow up in that causes them to seem like they are virtuous and moral. However, in pressured situations, Golding claims that the natural evilness that is within people reveals itself. In his novel ‘Lord of the Flies’, William Golding paints the setting as an unknown island in...
3 Pages 1440 Words
Life after death, reincarnation, and past lives have been topics that are being explored by countless authors. These themes have mostly been explored through a religious lens, whether that is Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. While the religious influences, if there are any, aren’t immediately recognizable in Andy Weir’s short story ‘The Egg’, the narrative itself attempts to explore the...
Literary DevicesShort Story
like 228
2 Pages 904 Words
In the exposition 'Why Colleges Shower Their Students with A's', Brent Staples argues that an unrivaled measure of undergrads has been getting decent evaluations and higher averages they don't deserve. Staples states, “As a consequence, diplomas will become weaker and more ornamental as the years go by”. Staples additionally contends that consumerism has influenced the advanced education system because of...
Literary CriticismLiterary Devices
like 433

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