Group L 28 March 2014
Thursday 12:20 Cam du Plessis
These two stanzas are an introduction therefore they can be considered as a preparation for the reader, they prepare the reader for what is to come. This preparation is done through the effects of tone, atmosphere, setting and through the use of an elaborate stanza scheme. The first aspect, tone, is defined as a modulation of the voice expressing a particular feeling or mood (Oxford Dictionary). Even though this is written work, one can imagine what the tone is if it was being spoken. The constant repetition of the cold weather hints that the cold is an important symbol. Winter is associated with barrenness; it destroys leaves and everything that is not strong enough to survive. Winter is not associated with happiness anything good; most bad stories start with “It was a cold night...”.Hence, the tone of this poem is ominous and the effect is that it warns the reader that what is to come is not ‘all sunshine and happiness’. Atmosphere is connected to the tone as Abrahams describes it as; “is the emotional tone pervading a section or the whole of a literary work, which fosters in the reader 's expectations as to the course of events, whether happy, terrifying or disastrous” (Abrams 14). According to this definition, the effect of the atmosphere is that because the reader has, is some sense, been warned of what is to come by the tone of the poem, the reader now expects ominous occurrences through the rest of the reading. Therefore an atmosphere of tension has been created and the reader’s curiosity is heightened When Keats creates a setting, he creates the setting of a Renaissance period through religious imagery; “Virgin’s picture” (Keats). Abrams defines settings as; “The overall setting of a narrative or dramatic work is the general locale, historical time a social circumstances in which its action occurs”. All the religion connotations may seem like him only criticising religion at first but he is in introducing the reader to the setting. The effect of this is that the reader receives the image of a setting with an antique feel to it. This poem is based on a superstition that on the Eve of St. Agnes, if one goes through specific rituals they will dream of who they will marry. However, because he uses religion in a poem based on a superstition, it could mean Keats is suggesting that religion is nothing but superstition. The elaborate stanza form is the typical Spenserian stanza, nine lines, eight of which are iambic pentameter and the last time being an iambic hexameter with the rhyme scheme ababbbcc. The rhyme scheme does not form a notable rhythm; however it does give the effect of being uniform and tight. The effect of the tight structure without rhythm is that it warns the reader that upcoming readings are not going to be joyful. Rhythm is associated with joyful contents, for example; children’s poems have rhyme that gives the poem rhythm and there are hardly any ominous children’s poems out there. In conclusion, the effect of the two introductory stanzas is to prepare the reader for what is to me, they hint at what the reader should expect.
Works Cited
Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Boston: Earl McPeek, 2005
Department of English, Rhodes University. Handout on The Eve of St. Agnes. 2014
Oxford University Press. Oxford dictionary of English . Ed. Stevenson, Angus.
Cited: Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Boston: Earl McPeek, 2005 Department of English, Rhodes University. Handout on The Eve of St. Agnes. 2014 Oxford University Press. Oxford dictionary of English . Ed. Stevenson, Angus.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
The audience gains a greater understanding and appreciation of the consequences and societal issues presented through the author’s texts of changing perspectives. This greater understanding is represented by a wide range of language techniques showing the quality of a change of perspective in life. In the short story ‘Forgotten Jelly’ by Megan Jacobson, it demonstrates how an individual understands the consequences and issues while time progresses, which in turn leads to a change of perspective. Likewise, in the poem ‘Mending Wall’ by Robert Frost, we observe how, as the characters develop, they understand and gradually learn more about the perspective of others and eventually leading to a change of their previous views.…
- 624 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
nucleolus - an organelle within the nucleus - it is where ribosomal RNA is produced. Some cells have more than one nucleolus.…
- 458 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
How do the weather and the time of year emphasize the mood of the opening section? The author describes the time of year as “a raw, nondescript time of year, toward the end of November”, it was “wet”, and “icy”, which emphasize how dull and dark the mood is, reflecting the author’s feelings of “fear”.…
- 4334 Words
- 13 Pages
Powerful Essays -
In Time and Tide by Tim Winton, and Martin and the Hand Grenade by John Foulcher, a range of complex ideas and techniques are used to create an atmosphere of inner conflict, and physical conflicts that can arise as a result. Winton looks at the conflicts of wasteful human use of the ocean to further their own economic wants and needs, and in extension the effect that this has on him. Foulcher explores the effect that conflict within a classroom can have on the students involved, and in the composer himself. While both are set in different times and places, both composers similarly conclude that the effects of human beings on their surrounding can lead to change and growth, in both the texts and the responders.…
- 1005 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
The author Tina Fanning in the newspaper article “cars no longer sustainable”, which was written in July 2007, contents the effect of car usage on global warming and the effect on the future of our children that proves the high level of harmfulness that global warming causes. The audience in this article is aiming at car users and state governors.…
- 414 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Pointed and scathing in its criticism of Australian attitudes to migrants; they will never fit in until they give up everything…
- 942 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
‘Is year of wonders primarily a study of grief and loss, or does it offer the reader an uplifting, optimistic message?…
- 1809 Words
- 8 Pages
Good Essays -
Chapter 10 considers marriage and family. An important concept related to this is the selection of a mate. Sociologists have determined that there are several trends in this process, one of which is called: homogamy. Explain what this term means and relate it to a couple that you are familiar with, making specific references to traits that they share. (remember not to confuse homogamy with endogamy.) then read, Sociology and the New Technology - “Online dating: risks and rewards,” on page 328. Explain how an understanding of principles supporting the mate selection process relates to the concept of online dating and then incorporate the answers to the Questions in the “For your Consideration” section at the end of the reading into the last part of your journal.…
- 303 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Distinctive voices are created for different purposes. How is this shown in you prescribed text and at least one other text of your own choosing?…
- 1064 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Distinctively visual representations allow the audience to envisage different purposes crafting emotions which stay with us forever. Graphic depiction is a fundamental characteristic within distinctively visual, thus the audience is able to be exposed to the intense illustrations exemplified by composers. Spudvilla’s portrayal of “Woolvs in the sitee” demonstrates the child’s inability to reconcile with himself. Contrasting to this notion; the playwright “Shoe-horn Sonata” to expose the brutal reality of POW camps during WWII. Therefore, distinctively visual forces the audience to succumb to the barriers society creates.…
- 1042 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Belonging can be defined in many ways as there is no exact meaning, though belonging can be defined as a sense of enlightenment felt when an individual gains an understanding of themselves in relation to others and the world around them. The feeling of belonging does depend on a strong relationship between people that has been developed over a period of time either short or long. In the film ‘strictly ballroom’ the director Baz Luhrmann clearly shows how the protagonist’s develop a sense of acceptance towards each other as the film progresses and this allows their relationship to strengthen over time. Also in the poem ‘wind and window flower’ written by Robert Frost the theme of relationships and depicts the idea of unrequited love.…
- 889 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
This quote means that you have many moments in life that are simply just to take up time and carry one throughout the years but memories are much more important and stay in one’s head forever with no time limit. This quote is significant to the two novels Rush Home Road and Kite Runner because each protagonist has a past that they carry with them throughout their years. Their memories of tragedy are with them forever and there is no way of escaping them permanently. In the novels Rush Home Road by Lori Lansens and Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the protagonists, Addy and Amir, are constantly drawn back home by recalling difficult memories, through adoption, and with the idea that they have a mission to complete.…
- 1896 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
the characterization of Romeo, Juliet and Friar Laurence show how hasty decision making can cause…
- 749 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
A hero is a man noted for his special achievements according to the dictionary, but if you ask most people what a hero is, you will get the same general response. They will probably say someone who does something for other people out of the goodness of his heart. Odysseus, who is the main character of the story, "The Odyssey" told by Homer, would fit the dictionary's definition of a hero; but if you go deeper, looking at what people feel a hero is, he doesn't even come close. In the book, Odysseus does nothing out of the goodness of his heart. Even if Odysseus fought in the Trojan War, he is not a hero because he is self-centered and ignorant to other peoples' values and needs.…
- 635 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
“To David, About his Education” by Howard Nemerov, explains that education isn’t always as important as you think. Nemerov supports the fact that outside knowledge and experience are far greater amenities then education alone. Nemerov advocates his theme by using literary devices such as verbal irony and tone. Nemerov mocks the way children are traditionally taught by using the devices for sarcasm to balance the pretend seriousness he conveys in the poem. For example Nemerov states, “The world is full of mostly invisible things… to find them out, things like how many times Byron goes into Texas… you have to go to school and study books.”…
- 459 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays