Meaning of Literature and Reading
Like many others, I immediately think of Shakespeare and other classic American or British authors whenever I hear the word literature. Reading about anything that others worldwide claim to appreciate was something I wanted to learn about to broaden my knowledge, as I truly love general information. I have identified intricacies and nuances that have sharpened the emphasis and message of the works by analyzing the lines and sections. My detailed and nuanced readings result from paying close attention to detail. I can assess the political and cultural importance of the literary works I have concentrated on.
Humor
A literary device that makes readers or viewers laugh is known as humor. However, each person has a unique sense of comedy. Academic work requires humor to break up monotony and dullness, and to keep readers or viewers engaged (Galan82). Exaggeration, hyperbole, irony, and sarcasm are literary devices that writers use to add humor to their works.
Some authors use comedy to expose the main character in their narrative or play, thereby establishing the work’s topic. On occasion, humor even influences the author’s tone or writing style. In a story, humor can be utilized to hint at the tone or style of the narrative. The author’s word or language choices determine the tone.
Genres
A genre is a literary style category that adheres to rules. Historical fiction, satire, and zombie romantic comedies are a few genres in literature. Numerous tales go within multiple genres. The rules that govern a specific genre must be adhered to in order to fit into it, and many genres emerge and fade over time (Galan 84).
Ancient Greece was the first culture to categorize the themes of individual works of literature using genre norms. Greek playwrights concurred that specific speech patterns were more suited for comedies than for tragedies, and that play subjects were also categorized according to the genre (Galan 85). The role of genre in Ancient Greek plays was so significant that performers could only appear in one. Tragic actors did not appear in comedies, and comedic actors did not appear in tragedies.
Characters
All stories require a few essential components. Literature frequently falls flat without these components. For instance, a plot with a sequence of events is a fundamental component of every novel.
Character is also another crucial component. Any person, object, figure, inanimate item, or animal can be a character. A character’s primary role in a tale is to advance or prolong the plot, make it legible, and keep readers interested (Galan 92).
Every narrative contains a significant character who has a profound influence on the storyline, and many stories employ multiple characters. The primary character may be a dynamic, static, flat, or round individual, and can also be a protagonist or an antagonist. The characters in literary works seem genuine to readers, who love reading about their realistic behavior.
Foreshadowing
The primary goal of storytelling is to engage the reader and maintain their interest throughout the narrative. A writer might utilize the literary device of foreshadowing to develop tension and keep the reader turning the page. It serves as a foreshadowing device for what will happen later in the narrative. To build suspense, anxiety, curiosity, or a sense that things might not be as they appear, foreshadowing might be helpful. The word “hint” is crucial to understanding foreshadowing (Galan, 1994).
Another effective technique for easing the reader towards major revelations is foreshadowing. For instance, your reader can feel offended, dissatisfied, or bewildered after reading your work instead of being shocked and happy if a sudden reveal or twist ending is not properly “laid up” through foreshadowing.
Parody
A parody is a piece of art produced by copying an existing original work to critique or make fun of the original in some way. A style or trend, a politician, an author, a celebrity, or any other intriguing topic might be the object of a parody. Parody is crucial because it allows us to express criticism and doubt without hostility or harm.
Parody imitates, emphasizes, and draws attention to specific elements of a story, characters, or narrative that might be criticized in any way (Galan 97). Parody grabs attention with comedy and a lighter view on serious subjects, whereas serious critique of politics, art, celebrities, or literature may be tedious or complex. Humor allows them to tackle weighty subjects while still making us laugh.
Allegory
The literary device of allegory effectively conveys complex, significant concepts. With powerful critiques of political or societal reality, allegory enables writers to create some distance between themselves and their critiqued topics. Writing uses allegory to convey broad, occasionally complex themes or make social commentary (Galan 101). In other instances, such as in George Orwell’s classic political allegorical book Animal Farm, allegory allows the author to discuss contentious concepts that may otherwise be too risky to discuss openly.
Symbolism
Symbolism is a literary technique in which anything more than the literal meaning of a word, person, place, mark, or abstract notion is represented. Symbols are present in every aspect of our everyday lives. For instance, political yard signs frequently use red, white, and blue since they are generally associated with patriotism (at least in America) (Galan 103). Because orange and brown are autumnal hues, they are frequently used in Thanksgiving decorations. Other instances of symbolism include emojis, logos, and road signs; these are visual representations of concepts, brands, or emotions.
Soliloquy
In a play or drama, a soliloquy is a literary device that takes the form of a speech or monologue delivered by a single character. A soliloquy is used by a character to communicate inner sentiments and ideas not meant for other characters in the play or the audience to hear or know (Galan 105). A soliloquy is a pause in the play’s action that allows the audience to briefly “go inside” the speaker’s thoughts as they express them. When it comes to eliciting a character’s feelings and observations, this literary approach works well.
Juxtaposition
A literary tactic known as juxtaposition suggests comparison or contrast. Writers use juxtaposition when two things are put side by side to create a dramatic or sarcastic contrast. Juxtaposition is inferred comparison since the author makes no overt comparisons or inferences. This makes it possible for the reader to understand how the paired things are alike or unlike (Galan 107). This literary strategy enhances contrast comprehension and gives the comparison a sense of fate or inevitability.
Metaphor
A metaphor is a symbolic language device that compares two unrelated things. Using metaphor as a literary tool, analogies are made without explicitly using “like” or “as.” When comparing two objects, the metaphor might be used to claim that they are identical rather than merely similar (Galan 109). This is helpful in writing when expressing abstract facts with specific imagery or notions.
Authors must carefully craft their metaphors to ensure the reader understands the meaning of the comparison. The comprehension of a significant term and a subsidiary phrase must be combined. The primary phrase expresses the concrete or literal idea, whereas the second term adds additional meaning by being used metaphorically.
Works Cited
Galan, F. W. “4. The Semiotic Reformulation.” Historic Structures. University of Texas Press, 2021. 82-140.