PLOT #8: TONE/MOOD

The tone and mood are essential in any literary work because they can easily shape any readers interpretation.  For example, in Hamlet, when Claudius, Hamlet, and Gertrude are speaking in front of the court, there are many different instances in which several lines can be interpreted to be delivered with a different tone.  First, when Gertrude says "all that lives must die" (line 72), the line can be interpreted to be delivered as a sincere and motherly tone or with a condescending tone.  Moreover, another example, of the plethora, would be the line in which Claudius says "Why, 'tis a loving and fair reply" ( line 121).  This line can be interpreted to to be said in many different tones, from sarcastic to satisfied, to conciliatory to barbed. In short, the tone and mood of any work, especially Shakespeare, have the ability to create a whole different read for the reader, based on interpretation and delivery.

PLOt #7: Diction

An authors choice of words when writing are done so carefully, in any literary work, to convey a certain meaning and to communicate a certain tone and attitude.  An authors correct use of diction often enables the reader to see into the 'heart' of the poet, empowering him or her with a sense of knowing.  In 'Traveling though the Dark', William Stafford's use of diction not only allows the reader to understand the tone and attitude of Stafford, but also often has the ability to make the reader feel the same way.  In "Traveling through the Dark", as the pot encounters the dead doe in the middle of the street, all his actions come to a halt.  As he approached the doe, and finds our she was pregnant, Stafford's diction illustrates the natural feeling of sorrow within a human.  Even though the poet had no relation to the doe, and even though it was just a doe, and not a human, the poet understands the meaning of life, even to a doe.  With this said, speaker also recognizes the importance of bearing a child, and the meaning that a child has to its mother.  "My fingers touching her side brought me the reason me the reason- her side was warm; her fawn lay there waiting, alive, still, never to be born.  Beside that mountain road I hesitated".  Stafford's use of depressing diction is very unique.  First, his use of simple words such as "never" have a drastic affect on the tone and mood of the poem.  Moreover, the word "never" brings into light the severity of the accident, and how this doe will not only never meet her child.  Subsequently, something that is more interesting is how the speaker almost feels angry for the doe; this innocent animal did not even have to chance to stand up for herself or see her offspring.  An author's use of diction has the ability to create a tone that not only permeates through out the poem, but also is recognizable by the reader.        

BLOG #6: IMAGERY/FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

The visually descriptive and figurative language of a literary work often enhance the read, and even more so inject the reader with a sense of familiarity.  First of all, imagery is very essential in a poem and often has the ability to attach a reader to the theme by strong and vivid imagery.  For example, in "Slam Dunk", Komunyakaa employs the use of very vivi imagery that literally paints an image in the mind of the reader, especially for athletes and basketball players.  "Nothing but a hot swish of strings like silk"paints a vivid image that any basketball player, or fan can relate to.  As a player, the feeling of a swish is relieving and soothing, almost like that feeling of having an ice cold drink on a hot summers day.  Next, figurative language in literary works also has the ability to enhance the readers understandability of what the poet or author is trying to convey.  In the poem "Traveling Through the Dark", Stafford uses personification to intensify his poem.  The personification adds to the mood of the poem, and also enhances the readers ability to comprehend the emotion "The car aimed ahead its lowered parking lights; under the hood purred the ready engine".  This personification turns the car into the killer, almost like a predator.  The use of imagery and figurative language enhance the read or any literary work by creating a certain feeling in the reader that he or she can often relate to.      

BLOG#5 poetic sounds

Sound often has the ability to alter the mood and tone of poem.  First of all, the iambic pentameter in Shakespeare and Hamlet stress two syllables.  This poetic sound of iambic pentameter is often used to distinguish royalty.  For example, Hamlet's soliloquies and speeches are spoken in iambic pentameter, however, Hamlet Sr. speaks in normal, blank verse.  Moreover, in Ulysses, the narrator employs the use of alliteration and assonance to instill an elongated feeling in the reader.  When the reader has to focus on pronunciation, it slows down the read; thus coinciding with the idleness feeling the King has.  "The long day wane; the slow moon climbs; the deep moans round with many voices" (Tennyson 55-56) is Odysseus speaking about his job and how he feels idle as a king.  The sounds created by iambic pentameter, alliteration, and assonance often create a certain mood and feeling in a literary work.