Tone and Mood

Tone and mood in a narrative create the overall sense of feeling in a narrative. Depending on how a writer expresses the tone in a narrative, exemplifies the overal emotion in a narrative. Authors express their sense of tone and mood by the diction of adjectives they use. The adjectives create descriptions for various meanings in a narrative, thus illustrates and paints a picture for the reader. Tone is also very similar to theme, as it usually resembles closely to the overall theme of the narrative.

Diction

Diction is pivotal to the make up of a narrative. It is the choice of words an authors uses to express all that he wishes. Diction goes beyond what a word actually means. For instance, a word may have a meaning past simply the “denotation” of a word. Authors are able to express use which ever word they may, to equal what ever he or she want it to mean. That is the intricacy of diction. For instance, in Hamlet, The ghost says “But soft, behold! Lo, where it comes again? I’ll cross it, though it blast me. Stay, illusion!”. The ghosts presents a shift in tone here. The author is able to do this by utilizing his own personal kind of diction. By shakespeare doing this, he emmulated fear in his speech. He wants to incorporate this “fear” because shakespeare is presenting a ghost, and is trying to give it the ghost “ghostly” like attributes.

Imagery / Figurative Language

Figurative language is commonly used by authors to add emphasis on certain parts of poetry. In essence, figurative language is any language that it not literal. Many poet’s use figurative language because they like to add deeper meanings to idea/themes that they will be discussing in their works. However, imagery, kind of the opposite, is based on solid realistic descriptions (or language), in relation to the five senses. Author’s use these two techniques to make a connection in their poetry, and attempt to make their poetry more easily understandable. For example, in “Ozymandias”, Shelley utilizes imagery and figurative language when she states “sneer of cold command” and “wrinkled lip”. She uses the world “wrinkled” to deepen the meaning and description of the “lip” which she is referring to, or in this case, the statue of Ozymandias. Shelley also compares the “sneer of cold command” to describe the facial expression of the statue. We the readers can concur that the statue is not in the happiest expression when Shelley states “frown”, ultimately assuring the readers about the current state of the statue.

Sound

Sound is very important in the “flow” of a poem. Depending on which devices authors decide to use, creates a smoother path for the poem to follow. Authors use literary devices including enjambment, rhyme scheme, meters, alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, and many more to create in-depth analysis of certain parts of poetry. For example, in “To An Athlete Dying Young”, Housman utilizes many end rhymes to create his own personal rhythm. His rhyme scheme, iambic tetrameter, allows his poem to flow line to line creating a soothing ring to the overall sound of the poem. Also, Housman uses many caesura techniques in this poem. Caesura is a pause somewhere within a line of poetry, which allows the reader to pause (or take a breath), while reading the poem. Authors personalize this scheme simply to create their own flow (pattern) they want readers to follow while reading their respective poetry.

Symbol

Writers use symbols in their literary work usually to deeper the meaning of certain parts of the narrative. More or less, a symbol in a narrative usually acts as allusions. They connect usually what is being mentioned "literally" in the text, to some other reference, which the author is trying to make connection about. Symbols also creates extreme depth in the analysis part of certain topics. For instance, in all poems dealing with "carpe diem", authors usually make a connection to "flowers", or "nature" at some point. For example, in "To his Coy Mistress", Andrew Marvell states the line "My vegetable love should grow". Marvell compares the momentary love he has for his mistress, (when she is not acting coy), and compares it to the vegetation and prosperity of a flower's development. He wants the love shared between the couple to prosper and last forever. This exemplifies how time is not constant, but precious and should not be wasted.

Setting

Setting is a essential aspect towards the development of any literary work. In both, narratives and plays, setting will foreshadow what is to be expected. It creates the mood for a narrative, and changes while the circumstances alter within a story. Ultimately, setting has to paint a picture for the reader, and make them feel like they are their. In retrospect, the location of where certain actions take place adds more emphasis on the situation. For example, in Pride and Prejudice depending on the location, wether or not Austen is describing a regular house in a middle class society or a upperclass mansion in a elitist community, Austen distinguishes characters by placing them in distinct environments, or settings. She does this to help the reader evaluate the full characterization of a character. In addition, setting exemplifies what will usually occur, in other words the (falling actions). For instance, if the setting is described in a certain way, it is likely that the story will reflect similarly to how the setting is described. Setting creates the sense of feeling, emotion, or tone in a narrative. In essence, a author attempts to make it easier for the reader to relate to his or her story by emphasizing very descriptive settings, or trying to paint a picture for the reader making him feel like he is actually in the story.     

Character

Characters are essential in creating a complex plot. The conflict which specific characters engage them in is ultimately the structure of the plot. Therefore, characters and plot are very similar in which characters shape the plot. However, they way each author Shakespeare and Austen utilizes flat characters, round characters, and a stock character is what resembles the difference between fiction and drama narratives. For instance, the way flat character’s such as Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice and Horatio in Hamlet help progress the plot and initiate the rising actions is very interesting. Mr. Collins comedic purpose goes no further besides helping Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship prosper by making Darcy jealous and ultimately motivating Darcy. In addition, Horatio really has no major role in Hamlet other than to be an aid to Prince Hamlet’s needs. Horatio’s main purpose is to stay alive and to spread the tale of which the plot is attempting to express.

PLOT

The key ingredient to a successful narrative is the plot. The plot sets the central idea of the story and states the purpose for every character’s actions. The plot is literally what happens in a story. It consists of the numerous conflicts, complications, and resolutions different characters experience throughout a narrative. In the basic narrative, the plot entails an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement. The exposition of a narrative resembles the background information presented to the audience, usually early on in the story. For instance, in Hamlet the exposition occurs when the three men Horatio, Bernardo, and Marcellus begin to converse about the recent death of King Hamlet, and is in fact praising him for his existence. In Pride & Prejudice, the exposition occurs when Mrs. Bennet attempts to convince Mr. Bennet to help her get one of her daughter’s married to a new man in town; Mr. Darcy. Furthermore, both writers Shakespeare and Austen use conversation between secondary characters to introduce the exposition to an audience. However, even though they seem very similar when presenting the exposition, the order of which each Hamlet and Austen decide to follow in each of their respective narratives differ. This is what usually distinguishes a fiction from a drama. In addition, the rising action in a narrative usually occurs after any crucial or impactful change towards the main character. There easily could be multiple raising actions in a narrative; ultimately leading up to the climax that occurs when the emotional tension between characters is at its peak. The climax also consists of significant change for the protagonist in either a positive or negative manner. Lastly, following the climax is the falling action, which are the resulting actions and resolutions for major and minor characters. The denouement is the final characteristic of the plot where balance and stability is fully restored to all characters.

Hamlet Essay Analysis

Overall, i thought i did a decent job on this essay. However, i need to have done a better job at analyzing Hamlet's actual speech patterns rather than his incentive behind them. I thought i did a good job in expressing why Hamlet acts the way he does, and the different occasions which he acts differently. But, i need to have examined what his actual speech patterns were. Secondly, i need to do a better job in my explanation of my quotes. I think i pick good quotes to use but lack in my explanation and how it ties into the thesis and the central topic/idea of the essay, in this case speech patterns.

Poetry Essay: Intro Draft

Time, one of the world's greatest attributes, significantly developed by man, is the most precious aspect in the control of humans. Resulting from its such short occurrence in a realistic world, poets Robert Herrick and Andrew Marvell in "To The Virgins, To Make Much of Time" and "To His Coy Mistress" express the incentive to utilize all of which time has to offer. Both poets exploit the similar theme "Carpe Diem" to proclaim how one should live a perpetual active life and take full advantage of all of life's options. However, Marvell portrays his assessment of seizing the day by interaction with his "coy" lover. He compares the "timeless world", which includes every missed opportunity in one's life due to the burden of time, to his unprogressive relationship with his mistress. In addition, Herrick enlightens all of the "virgins" in the world by enforcing the issue of how short  life is, and that their is not enough time in the world to waste to act lethargically. In essence, he is attempting to motivate all the virgins to live a more active life. Furthermore, both poets articulate the importance of cherishing every moment appointed towards an individual. 

Ozymandias vs. Ponder, Darling, these busted statues...

Both ozymandias and ponder,darling, these busted statues deal with the issue of time. For instance, Cummings quote "momentary" exemplifies how he wishes or individuals, such as "your - and - my -", to live in the moment and take advantage of everything. He states this to illustrate how "time" is momentary and goes by in a second. In addition, Shelly's makes the connection of "time", in her poem by analyzing the downfall of her king's "kingdom". She displays how the king's kingdom failed to rise up to the expectations of a progressing comity, therefore "time" is what ruined her kingdom. Shelly expresses how individuals should not waste any moment in ones life and to take full advantage of what time offers because it is precious.

Performance Choices

Tim and I decided to do the conversation Hamlet has with Polonius in Act 2 Scene 2. In our presentation, I played Polonius and Tim played Hamlet. In this scene, Polonius clearly displays his lack of common sense. He clearly cannot catch on to the witticism that Hamlet is craftily presenting. In retrospect, Polonius expresses how oblivious he is towards Hamlet and is simply unaware of the situation. While presenting Polonius's character, deploying the most accurate tone is the most important aspect in nailing his character. For instance, since he has so many short phrase responses towards Hamlet, and always ends each with a "my lord", it is difficult to distinguish the true point he is trying to get across and what he actually means.

Pg. 82 #9 - Hamlet soliloquy: (I.ii.129-59)

In Hamlet’s soliloquies, the man is able to express every aspect of his desires to an unlimited extent. In this soliloquy, Hamlet illustrates his current state of actions subsequent to learning about his mother’s decision to remarry after a short mourning period. To start off, “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt”, Hamlet immediately suggests his desire to end his life now and commit suicide: “self-slaughter, O God! God!” Hamlet contemplates the fact of committing suicide numerous times, however fails to carry through with it because he’d rather not deal with the burdens that come with the afterlife. In addition, in lines 150-152: “O God! A beat, that wants discourse of reason, Would have mourn’d longer” Hamlet compares his mother to animals. He makes this claim in order to point out that animals would have mourned longer than Hamlet’s mother had did (2 months) following the death to a loved one. Furthermore, Hamlet sums up this soliloquy by stating that he must not share any of his personal information and believes with anyone: “I must hold my tongue”, Hamlet decides he needs to keep his inner turmoil to himself and realizes he is better off that way.

#7 & #14

7) Hamlet deliberately puts on his "antic disposition" solely to lessen suspicion about his future actions. First, he is aware both Horatio and Marcellus realize he has a sudden change in behavior and is acting strangely for some reason. Therefore, Hamlet needs to create a calculated strategy in order to stay true to his future actions and keep his cover clean until he avenges his father's death. In addition, Hamlet's actions are clearly deliberate, but also reflects his distress from his mother's betrayal and father's death.

14) I fully agree with what Hamlet is trying to portray in his quote "Why, then, 'tis none to you; for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so". Hamlet is trying express that he is acting in a schematic sense and is extremely vigilant about what he wants to do. In addition, Hamlet is trying to hint to both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that he is aware of the real conditions about their visit. He knows that they were sent to spy on him by the king and queen because of his current state of depression. In actuality, Hamlet is full of anger and is putting on a "antic disposition" only to misguide everyone from thinking he is in difficulty.

Laertes & Polonius: Hamlet Advice to Ophelia

Both Laertes and Polonius significantly object to Ophelia dating Hamlet. Firstly, Laertes believes Hamlet is still an unsophisticated individual who does see the full seriousness of a relationship yet, but solely wants to experience all the pleasure that is applicable. "But you must fear, his greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own For he himself is subject to his birth:"(1.2.16-18). In addition, Laertes expresses that because of Hamlets social ranking in society he might not be the best fit to be Ophelia's lover. He thinks since Hamlet is so high in rank, as the prince, he cannot always marry someone to his own personal liking, therefore; Ophelia is wasting her time chasing after Hamlet. Polonius, on the other hand, simply reiterates Laertes’s advice and advises Ophelia to stop seeing Hamlet. Personally, I believe Laertes’s advice is much more persuasive as he actually articulates reasoning why not for Ophelia to see Hamlet.

The Legitimacy of Hamlets Ambitions

Shakespeare’s Hamlet offers the story of a young uncongenial man named Prince Hamlet who is experiencing an unfortunate death to his father, King Hamlet, by the unpardonable actions of the king’s own brother, Claudius. Shakespeare portrays Hamlet as the story’s protagonist who distinctively interacts with supporting characters in the play each in a different manner. By analyzing Shakespeare’s designed speech patterns for Hamlet one can truly see the actuality of Hamlet’s claims and differentiate the true meaning of his soliloquies as opposed to his normal verbal exchanges with characters. For instance, Hamlet’s soliloquies exemplify his authentic feelings and emotions, which would possibly put him in a great deal of turmoil if expressed among other characters. In opposition, Hamlet is much more confident in his speech patterns while engaging in conversations with other characters. He illustrates a more optimistic side, which he rarely presents in his soliloquies. Rather in Hamlet’s soliloquies he is much more open to all ideas and states whatever he feels is necessary. By examining Hamlets speech patterns one can distinguish the authenticity of his intentions and desires by analyzing the tone, types of words, and syntax, which Shakespeare utilizes to convey the true meaning of each character’s intention portrayed in the play.

T.S. Elliot's The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

"Shall I say"                                        Line 70

"Should I"                                            Line 79

In The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, the narrator portrays his dual sides, one that is rather social and easy going, as opposed to his highly dubious side. Author T.S. Elliot utilizes short two to three word phrases such as "Shall I Say" and "Should I" to demonstrate is indecisive personality. "Prufrock" proclaimed all of his insecurities by the tone in his short word phrases leading up to his bold statements. However, "Prufrock" clearly exhibits his indecisiveness by his constant uncertainty in himself. He constantly puts himself down negatively and never thinks the best of himself, as well as expressing his very self-conscious  nature. In addition, he is persistently unable to live up to the bold statements which he arrogantly makes. 

"To His Coy Mistress": Mini-Essay

Andrew Marvell divides his poem To His Coy Mistress into three separate stanzas, each consisting of a different phase in a young man’s desire to be with his mistress in a timeless world. Marvell categorizes the first stanza as the young couple’s ideal world of timeless love where they can cherish every moment together. He clearly states the unrealistic features of this world by his heavy hyperbolic statements: “I would love you ten years before the flood”, Marvell tries to articulate the fact that the man would love his mistress for as long as he wishes, until time runs out and he possibly couldn’t anymore. However, Marvell then has a tonal shift leading into the second stanza illustrating the unlikely nature of the couple’s timeless dream world. He exemplifies the impurities of the realistic world, only weakening the couple’s ambitions towards their desires. The man realizes in the real world there is a time limit for how long the couple’s love can last. Therefore, the young man understands with this burden of time, he must cherish every moment he has with his mistress. Marvell classifies the man’s hope for his love to last with his mistress in the theme “carpe diem”, meaning seize the day. Marvell uses these different schemes for stanzas to characterize the young man’s realization of how short life is. Consequently, appreciating every aspect of live is essential to the young man because all he wants to do is be with his mistress. 

Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress"

“My vegetable love should grow

Vaster than empires, and more slow”

The author uses hyperbole in these lines to illustrate the enormous amount of love he holds for his “mistress”. He compares his love to a vegetable in hope for the love shared between the couple to prosper and last forever. He makes the connection of a vegetables blossom during its existence to the persistent love between the couple to “grow” and just flourish overtime. Clearly they cannot love each other “vaster” than empires, rather the author makes this statement to emphasize the love they hold for each other.   

Mr. Collins... Hmm?

In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Collins is viewed as a very comedic character who can be laughed at constantly. However, in real life he would without a delay be portrayed as a cruel nightmare. DW Harding makes the connection of Mr. Collins as a caricature to play out his comedic role. For instance, when he advises the Bennet's on the situation about Lydia, he believes they should completely cut her off for leaving, clearly missing the point that the Bennet's have no intention in doing so. One can see the harsh nature of Mr. Collins by his depicted actions, but because of the connection to a caricature which DW Harding makes, his humorous and full of wit personality is the only one we are aware of.

Thesis

In Pride and Prejudice, Austen distinguishes each character’s true personality by introducing them in a unique manner through gossip shared among other individuals and anazlyzing the character’s actions, intending for the reader to create his own perspective of the character.

What is the most important aspect of an Essay?

I believe the most important aspect of an essay is the thesis statement. Even though it is just one sentence out of many in an essay, it holds the most importance as the basis of an essay. The thesis needs to direct all ideas and points that will be discussed in the essay very thoroughly without giving away to much information. It should be very specific; however, not give away any concrete examples that will be mentioned later on. For instance, in the student sample essay A for Alfi, the author establishes that he will be making connections with the characters in Pride and Prejudice to “good lists” and “bad lists”. Therefore, we know what he will be talking about and we won’t be confused about the context of the essay.

Response to 'Character Intro' Essay Comments

First, my main idea/point that i tried to articulate i thought was pretty strong, however, i need to do a better job in expressing the point more thoroughly. I thought i did bring up some strong ideas, for example (3rd paragraph), but i need to work on mentioning the points earlier on in the essay (intro), and expand them in the body paragraphs. For instance, I never did mention the misinterpretation of Darcy's true nature in my intro paragraph, when it is more or less the main point in my third body paragraph. Grammar wise, i only had a few mistakes, one being the repetition of a word. Lastly, I do agree i need to work more on active voice sentences as opposed to passive voice, and as a result i think my 'word choice' in the sentences will improve.

Pride & Prejudice Sample Essay Response 1

Essay C: From the onset, the writer makes it very clear who he is going to write about, Mrs. Bennet, and does a great job in leading into the introduction of the topic. He mentions he is going to be making a reference to Mrs. Bennet and base the essay off of her and never really gets side tracked. Throughout the essay, the writer constantly refers every argument/point stated directly back to Mrs. Bennet, only strengthening the analysis. However, i do think the thesis is a bit to long and could be shortened. I also think the thesis is too vague in that the writer does not state the gist of what will be discussed in the essay. She rather illustrates the reasoning behind Mrs. Bennet's "big mouth" besides outlining the essay for the reader. The writer does bring up good points in the body paragraphs but nothing that refers back to the thesis.