A Difference in Technique Both “The Legend of Qu’Appelle Valley” by E. Pauline Johnson and “Qu’Appelle” by David Bouchard retell the same First Nation’s legend but develop different voices throughout the use of stylized English, syntax and figurative language. The narratives follow similar timelines in which events occur, characters and theme of how the Qu'Appelle valley came to be. Writing in Shakespearean English rather than modern English is a stylized choice by Johnson which gives the overall story an academic voice and romanticizes the legend. For example, Johnson says, “I heard a voice speak tenderly my name… I answered; no reply” (Johnson, 5). In contrast, Bouchard employs an informal voice with the use of third and second person. This …show more content…
Both authors explain the protagonist's first interaction with the calling although, the overall voice is different. Secondly, the use of diction and syntax allows the reader to gain knowledge of emotions due to the connotation and denotation of specific words chosen by each author. In Johnson's narrative, she constantly uses Shakespearean originated words to showcase the protagonist's love and passion for his lover. One is able to acknowledge and perceive the love this character possesses due to the romantic connotation put in place with the following example, “'ll go with thee, thy wife for evermore” (Johnson, 2). As of Bouchard’s narrative, he recognizes the reader which allows one to further explore the legend and obtain a deeper insight due to it being personal, almost as if he was an elder passing down the story rather than reading it. Lastly, figurative language has the ability to exaggerate a point or connects an idea to the reader’s previous knowledge. This results in a more valid compression since it connects one's personal experiences. Johnson follows a continuous rhyme scheme as well as personification and alliteration throughout the poem. It is evident that these literary devices
The informal language and intimacy of the poem are two techniques the poet uses to convey his message to his audience. He speaks openly and simply, as if he is talking to a close friend. The language is full of slang, two-word sentences, and rambling thoughts; all of which are aspects of conversations between two people who know each other well. The fact that none of the lines ryhme adds to the idea of an ordinary conversation, because most people do not speak in verse. The tone of the poem is rambling and gives the impression that the speaker is thinking and jumping from one thought to the next very quickly.
Winona Wheeler’s essay, “Cree Intellectual Traditions in History” analyzes the oral history of First Nations Elders. She specifically questions the identities of the Elders telling their story and how they have attained the stories that they are telling. Wheeler’s thesis is that the Elders are not mere storages of knowledge, they are humans. And as the days go on, few of them remain which makes it even more relevant to take in what they have and pass it on to the newer generations.
The literary device, author’s voice, affects the meaning of a text in almost everything you read. This is especially true for the classic book Night as well as the short story “ A Spring Morning”. Some of the examples of when text is affected by the author’s voice include: when the author is foreshadowing, when the author is writing about someone is being told to obey what another person is saying, and when the author is writing about a loved one dying.
In the first paragraph, Johnson displays thoughtfulness of the mother’s feelings, describing the hope she has in him as a “species of happiness” and then gently and gradually disappoints her, saying her hope will result in “disappointment” which is why it is “dangerous to indulge.” However, in the second paragraph an accusatory tone is effectively conveyed by drawing attention to how absurd the mother’s demand is by repeating how the mother wants him to “solicit” the “great” archbishop and ask him to fulfill a favor to a stranger. Johnson employs a sensitive tone in the beginning paragraph followed immediately by a accusatory tone in the second paragraph in order to accommodate various responses to his letter. This shift in tone between paragraphs distances Johnson from the blame of his denial, and gradually places the fault on the
Tanner, Laura E. "Uncovering the Magical Disguise of Language: The Narrative Presence in Richard Wright's Native Son." Appiah 132-146.
Born and raised in a family of storytellers, it’s no wonder that this author, Louise Erdrich became a prolific writer. Louise was born in Little Falls, Minnesota. She grew up in Wahpeton, North Dakota, near the Chippewa Reservation with her mom, who had Native American roots and her dad who was of German descent. Her parents encouraged and challenged her at an early age to read, also to write stories and even paid her a nickel for each one that she wrote. Lorena Stookey states that Louise Erdrich’s style of writing is “like William Faulkner, she creates a fictional world and peoples it with multiple narrators whose voices commingle to shape her readers’ experience of that world” (Stookey 14). Louise writes this moving story “The Shawl” as she is haunted by the sorrows of the generations of her people, the Anishinaabeg. I initially saw this tale as a very complex reading, but after careful reading and consideration, saw it as a sad and compelling story.
Throughout the selection, the audience modal analysis shifts based on who is speaking and who is being addressed. Majority of this text’s audience modal analysis is lyric. The main character Elizabeth always address herself and what’s going on in her life, and about her husband. This book is also revolves around God. The main objective of the book is to allow God to be the head of you life. Another important character, Miss Clara, represents a muse that helps guide Elizabeth to the right path of
Across Canada and the United States there are many First Nations languages which are a part of the Algonquian language family, all of which with varying states of health. Although these languages share many characteristics of the Algonquian language family, the cultures, systems of beliefs, and geographic location of their respective Nations differentiate them. In being shaped by the landscape, cultures, and spirituality of the First Nations, the language brings the speakers closer to their land and traditions while reaffirming their identity as First Peoples. Using the Blackfoot Nation to further explore this concept, this paper will show that while language threads together First Nations culture, spirituality, traditions and land, as well as their identity, each of these essential components also maintain and revitalize the language.
Language and communication has always been a part of human nature, whether that be in the form of grunts and pictures or in spoken word. The Iroquois Constitution and the work of Jonathan Edwards are no different in this manner however the way in which they are written is contrasting. Throughout this essay I will show the similarities and differences between the two documents and compare the uses of figurative language between the two.
The books intent is to challenge written histories and to reinterpret early Mi’kmaq-French relations, particularly religious history among the Mi’kmaq. Using both Mi’kmaq and Euro history/knowledge to do so. Through the revitalization of Mi’kmaq histories, culture, and spirituality the text both bridges non-Aboriginal peoples to new understandings of Canadian history, as well as bridging Mi’kmaq youth to their elders and culture (11).
The poet conveys his attitude toward the character in a detached manner, seeing as the poem is not written in the perspective of the character or someone close to him. The speaker details the actions of the character in a sympathetic, respectful tone, but the choice of actions that the poet chooses to include seem to mock him. Perhaps most representative of this assertion is the choice to make the first word of both the novel and the poem “Cabbage,” immediately indicating that the novel the character has waited years to write will likely not be of good quality (1). Additionally, the poet uses the simile “a trophy pen, / like a trophy wife,” describing the pen that would play such an integral role in writing the novel with a negative connotation (2-3). The repetition of the phrase “not cheap” suggests that the extensive amount of resources the character has invested in the creation of his novel may have simply been a waste. Additionally, the detail that the character “dreamed in free moments at his office” and “excitingly” began writing is undercut by the first word being “cabbage” (17-21). In the event that the first word was more mellow, the tone of the poet would be very similar to that of the speaker. However, the choices in detail as well as the use of specific literary devices keep the tone of the poet and the tone of the speaker on two different
Both forms of these poems, history and storytelling have a certain degree of fluidity to help determine the meaning from the speaker to the reader. The compositions of these poems show that the poets, Owen and Brooks, did not write for an audience, but rather for an absent reader, by using more imagery and sound elements. But, thanks to the introduction of electronic media, the seven poetic elements are now easier to be “seen” and heard. This allows for the reader or listener to reach the full potential of the poem. Through listening the speaker’s tone, witnessing the time period, hearing the diction, speech and sound elements, the true meaning of the poem is painted for the audience.
Sound devices also help to reinforce the theme and meaning of the poem. Alliteration is prominent through the poem, but repetition of alliteration was also apparent. The repeating letters and sounds were all chosen for a certain reason sometimes representing harshness and sometimes making boring sounds. “The Bible with a broken back” has a very harsh, choppy sound to it. This shows that the man doesn’t reall...
As the audience will see, the verses are really bad. Orlando probably has seen this kind of courting in the city but does not know how to write quality verses. Nevertheless, Rosalind was extremely excited when Celia told her it was Orlando who wrote it. Shakespeare used the language technique of repetition to present the excitement
This diction is often seen intensifying a story’ plot and purpose. The tone will quicken as emphasis is put on one feature of a particular poem. An example is “Poet’s Obligation” and it says, “A vibration starts up, vague and insistent, a great fragment of thunder sets in motion the rumble of the planet and the foam, the raucous rivers of the ocean flood” (Neruda 349). Words like “vibration” and “raucous rivers” put emphasis on the sudden inspiration of the ocean, giving the ocean a deeper meaning. Diction also creates a boisterous tone by using rare and extravagant words that guide the reader to a deeper thinking level. This makes the reader question and think about what they know. In the poem, “Poetry” it says, “The heavens unfastened and open, planets, palpitating plantations, shadow perforated, riddled with arrows, fire and flowers, the winding night, the universe” (Neruda 350). Writing about topics like “heavens”, “planets”, and “universe” create a boisterous tone and make the reader think deeply and look at the bigger picture in life. Diction also puts a thrilling emphasis on an otherwise simple subject to create a boisterous tone. Some might view an act as simplistic and calming, but diction can be used to make it extraordinary. In “Continuity of Parks” it says, “Word by word, licked up by the sordid dilemma of the hero and heroine, letting himself be absorbed to the point where the images settled down and took on color and movement” (Cortázar 363). Reading might seem simple, but the narrator is taken to a whole other world. The words within the story such as “sordid” and “absorbed” create an intense and boisterous tone for the