Literary devices

distinguish between a good book and a bad, we must therefore not refer to how the book is written but by how it is read. Throughout the book, Lewis discuss’ his theories about why that is true, starting by separating the readers into two groups, one the “literary” and the other the “unliterary”. He processes by outlining a few of the differences between the two types of readers. The book then goes forward by defining what good literature is “But in reading great literature I become a thousand…

every aspect of a story literary criticism must be applied. A literary critic is an individual that observes various forms of literature in the form of stories, plays, and poems. Willa Sibert Cather is the author of the short story called, “Paul’s Case: A Study in Temperament” and this story specifically applies to almost any literary theory. Cather provides an abundance of information that allows for literary criticism with the influence of the various types of literary theories. Cather is…

process of signing up for classes I had to take. I didn’t have a choice in most of them, so I didn’t do much research into what each lesson plan held. However, during our first day, I was pleasantly surprised by the goal of the class – learning about literary criticism and, more importantly, the theories that went along with it. I felt confident because I already had experience in these fields, and this class would just throw me into the deep end of a pool I had already waded into. The class…

In today’s world, people have their own opinion of literature. What creates remarkable literature? Could it be the well-developed characters? Might it be the intricate conflicts? The answer: there is no definition of literature, only points where people can agree upon. Agreeing on literature, schools often provide lists where they recommend books off of it to students. Sadly, one remarkable book is not on that list. Palace of Mirrors, which was written by Margaret Peterson Haddix, is that book.…

Literary theory consists of various principles, beliefs and underlying ideas that are used to understand and analyze different pieces of texts in literature. An interesting way to view literary theory is by considering theories as tools. Critics take these tool and apply it to a text in an attempt to look at it from a different perspective. It grants them the ability to examine a particular aspect of a text, which they regard of significant importance. When these theories are passed onto readers…

It is not often in a class based on literary analysis and critical thinking about classic literature that a student is asked to reflect on him or herself. It only makes sense, however, when called upon to do so, that this reflection is related to British literary history. I am a Neo-Classic, through and through, but as much as I would like to deny it, I cannot repudiate the claim that I have a touch of Romantic in me as well. As there exists parts of both philosophies within me, it becomes…

There are millions of combinations of themes, perspectives, characters, plot, and style that a novel can be written in, and each one of those factors can carry significant meaning in a novel. Perspective, for example, can show what a single character or multiple characters are thinking and feeling. It describes their commonalities in the psyche and their differences. Published in 1932, by William Faulkner, The Unvanquished, a Civil War novel, was written more than sixty years after the war ended…

During the story “The Gift of The Magi” the author O. Henry exposes many uses of figurative language or imagery during the story. O. Henry uses figurative language and imagery to create a special effect or feeling for the reader when the are reading.Figurative language can compare, exaggerate, or mean something other than what appears. Imagery is words that create a picture or words that appeal senses. Throughout this story “The Gift of The Magi” the author uses a various amount of different…

obvious to me when you do, and I’m not interested in what lame internet sites say. I want to know what you think. To analyze anything, consider its function (purpose) and form (design), and how the function and form work together. To apply this to literary criticism: Ask yourself what purposes the author has for writing -- what is he/she trying to show, or argue, or criticize, or question? Ask yourself how the author has formed the work -- what structures and techniques do you see him/her…

How do I Love to Stop All the Clocks “Stop all the Clocks, Cut off the Telephone” by W.H. Auden and “How do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning are both poems that are expressing the author’s love for someone. However, with the aforementioned poems, the poets are in a different point in their experience of love. While Browning is writing for someone in that moment, Auden is writing in mourning for someone. Together, these poems show the power of love through life and after death. In…