What is an explication? An explication is an “unfolding” of the story as you see it. Probably the most common approach to writing about literature, an explication is simply an analysis of a literary element. In this analysis, you will examine a literary device that helps weld together the mosaic of the entire work. It is an objective assertion of your view, a kind of literary argument. It is less constraining in form than a five paragraph, three-point thesis essay. You are free to approach the novel from any angle that interests you; this is literary and advanced writing, the kind of writing you will be expected to write in college. Common literary elements include:
Character Rhyme
Setting Imagery
Plot Figures of Speech
Theme Symbol
Dialogue Tone
Point of View Mood
Rhythm
When you approach the writing, first decide which of the above elements you would like to discuss. Think about the relationship between the element and the other parts of the novel and its impact on the work. Have fun with this assignment; take a chance and propose an interesting argument.
Character Rhyme
Setting Imagery
Plot Figures of Speech
Theme Symbol
Dialogue Tone
Point of View Mood
Rhythm
When you approach the writing, first decide which of the above elements you would like to discuss. Think about the relationship between the element and the other parts of the novel and its impact on the work. Have fun with this assignment; take a chance and propose an interesting argument.
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Mr. Farley. I'm going to camp (for 9 weeks) tomorrow and I had to do all of the explications before I leave because the macs don't have microsoft word, and my computer at home does
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents.
In How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, a novel by Julia Alvarez, point of view is a literary technique that is used greatly in this tale. For example, in “The Blood of the Conquistadores” point of view is constantly being used between all of the different characters and even minor characters such as Checho, Victor Hubbard, and Chucha, the Garcia’s Haitian maid who blesses the girls with voodoo spells. This is shown by the contrasting points of view between each which further advance the plot and have several different “sub-stories” within this short story. Point of view also helps in character development throughout the book from beginning to end. This is evident when Yolanda is describing her relationship between Rudy and herself, she is less confident in herself at that time because of lack of sexual knowledge. Later on, she talks about “giving up my immortal soul for a blues kind of soul.” Point of view is prevalent in the entire novel and helps give this story its own mood.
FAHERNHEIT 451
In Fahrenheit 451, a science fiction novel written by Ray Bradbury, symbolism plays an important role in the structure of the novel. From the exposition, symbolism is immediately thrown onto the reader with different types of symbolism such as the “The Hearth and the Salamander”. In the ancient times, the salamander was an animal that legend claimed “could survive fire itself”. Unfortunately for the salamanders, they don’t survive, but the legend still claimed that they do. The second part of the symbolism comes from the hearth, which is recognized as fire. Both of these are terms relating to fire. Another example of symbolism is the phoenix which is known for being reborn countless times, over and over and over again. This is contrasted with humans who never learn and always are caught in a cycle, though Granger remarks that people can change themselves and could possibly break the cycle of rebirth, unlike the phoenix. Symbolism is an important part of Fahrenheit 451 and works in to the structure well.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
In Their Eyes Were Watching God, a novel written by Zora Neale Hurston the use of dialogue is everpresent and helps set the structure of the novel. For the entire novel, most if not all, of the dialogue used is spoken in casual southern English. The narrator, Janie, who is using third person to tell her story, uses a more formal style of English instead of the casual English. The use of these two sides of grammar make for an interesting harmony between them and also take part in the overall theme of two opposites complementing each other, which is also what Janie Crawford views of love. Her views of love are that a man and a woman both have traits that they don’t have, but if they have that combination, it would be perfect love. This is a bit of a stretch but, the idea still exists. The literary device also unites the language together and sets the mood in a more rural environment.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave girl
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, written by Harriet Jacobs under an alias, Linda Brent, uses setting to enhance the novel. The setting of the novel is the deep South, during a time before the Civil War. The rural setting and time of the piece contributes to the overall plot and helps work as a plot device. For instance, if the novel happened in another part of the world, such as China, the setting wouldn’t have as much as an effect because China did not have a well known slave culture, but the American South did. Time also is of importance as there were no slaves after the civil war, but during this time period, slaves were common in the South. The setting of time and place help establish a plot point that enables conflict to occur.
you read all four novels already? i am a bit skeptical, but it'll have to do for now. besides, you don't need microsoft word to make a blog posting.
Mr. Farley - I'm going to be away for this due date, and I'm not going to have access to a computer or internet.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
In the autobiography of Harriet Jacobs, under the assumed name of Linda Brent, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl uses dialogue to help develop the novel. Many slaves often speak in broken and grammatically incorrect speech. However, Jacobs’ character speaks in proper grammar. This gives the idea that Jacobs’ is more intelligent than the other slaves, and that she is more like whites of her community. However, Jacobs’ has the ability to read and write, so it seems more likely that her dialogue would be more proper than the other slaves. If Jacobs’ had put her own words in a grammatically incorrect vocabulary, then she would appear as an ordinary slave. In order to set herself apart, Jacobs’ put her own dialect in a proper, correct manner.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl-
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, an autobiography by Harriet Jacobs, clearly illustrates how the use of specific characters is vital in getting the point across to the audience. Jacobs felt obligated to include even the most minor characters in her story in order to make a forceful point. The reader must keep in mind that her purpose for publishing the book was to help the antislavery movement. Because this is not a subject to be taken lightly, Jacobs wanted to make a powerful statement through her characters. Obviously people such as Dr. Flint, Aunt Martha, and Mr. Sands would not be excluded from the plot because of the major impact they each had on Jacobs at the time. Despite this, minor roles were still included just to help give the reader a greater understanding of the cruelties that took place during the slavery era. Uncle Benjamin, William, Aunt Nancy, and Mrs. Hobbs are only among the few minor characters who helped sculpt the audience’s hatred towards slavery. Uncle Benjamin beats his master and flees to freedom. William is Jacobs’ brother who was owned by Mr. Sands. Mr. Sands was said to be one of the “kinder” slave owners. Still, William escapes, yearning to be free which shows that even “privileged” slaves were not any less desiring of freedom than other slaves. Aunt Nancy is Mrs. Flint’s “property” and Jacobs’ maternal aunt. She eventually passes away as a result of the cruelties from her master. Finally, Mrs. Hobbs is Mr. Sands’ cousin who is the caretaker of Ellen, Jacobs’ daughter. She is neglectful and treats her as pure property. The story line of this book would still have the same message, but it would not be nearly as meaningful if it lacked the roles of the minor characters.
Inxidents In The Life of a Slave Girl
Point Of View
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is an autobiography of the life of Harriet Jacobs. Although Jacobs uses the name Linda Brent instead of her own, every situation this character goes through is factual and to the tee. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is written in first person. This means the reader can tell what is going on in Linda’s head, but does not get the opportunity to know what the other characters are thinking. For example, when Linda is sexually harassed by Dr. Flint, the reader knows that she needs something to get him so angry that he will sell her. The reader witnesses Linda’s thought process and she assumes that an affair with a white neighbor would do the trick. This is all a gamble. Neither the reader nor Linda knows what Dr. Flint’s mind process will be after he finds out about this breaking of the rules. This point of view is good for this type of novel because the reader can see the details in the mind of a slave girl without being persuaded by the thoughts of those around her.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is a journal of a slave girl, Harriet Jacobs, which was written in support of the antislavery movement. Often literary elements are included to enhance a book’s strength but in this book they are not as necessary because of the raw power of the subject itself. The few elements that are in the book help improve the feeling. Jacobs writes her feelings and inserts songs or verses from the bible that illustrate her feelings and summon sorrow into the hearts of people. Characters use proper English if they are free and slaves use improper English which shows social classes and how people are treated differently. Even with few literary elements Jacobs manages to spread her message to the world, slavery should be put to an end because of the tortures people are put through.
i am not sure what the problem is, but the post for the fist novel is not here, but above, under the post title, Incidents in the life of a Slave Girl, by Hariot Jacobs. it should be pretty obvious.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, by Harriet Jacobs
In her autobiography Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Harriet Jacobs uses her point of view, as the character Linda Brent, to provide the reader with a better understanding of the suffering of slaves in the south. Jacobs explains the torturous trials of the slaves that she witnesses. She tells of the pain that a slave mother feels as her children are sold to different slaveholders and knowing that she will probably never see them again. Jacobs speaks of her own experiences as a female teenage slave and how she was corrupted by her master. She also expresses the mindset of Northerners who are only shown the "benefits" of slavery and shielded from the poor conditions of southern slaves. However, Jacobs also mentions some good relationships between the slaves and their masters. For example she says that she was born a slave, however she was unaware of slavery until she was six years of age. This proves that her family and her master respected each other. Her point of view demonstrates what life was like as a slave and how much freedom should be appreciated.
Using the voice of first person narrative in the autobiography Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Harriet Jacobs allows the reader to understand the harsh reality of slavery. The horrible events that happen in Linda’s life in this autobiography enable a reader to empathize with each character mentioned. Jacobs creates a strong sense of truth with her simple words and explanations through her own eyes. A reader can tell the atrocities told by Jacobs are not exaggerations. Not only can they tell this but they can also put themselves in Linda’s shoes to feel the same feelings that she felt in dreadful situations. Jacobs writes many chapters where Linda is still hiding at her grandmother’s house. The extension of her stay there throughout many chapters enables a reader to see how long and unbearable the hideout actually was. Also the explicit details of everything Linda observes in her hideout drag out the stay there and show a reader how bored and frightened she must have been. Jacobs’ use of the first person narrative enables the reader to grasp the desperation of her experiences.
-Incidents in the life of a slave girl-
The autobiography Incidents in the Life of slave girl tells the story of the dreadful psychological abuses of slavery forced on Linda Brent by her master. Dr. Flint had told Linda on many occasions that she had the “easy” life and that she could not have asked for a better master. The truth in that statement is that she almost never got beaten or physically harmed; however, the thoughts that were put in Linda’s head, the things that she witnessed and the experiences that she partook in were enough to scar her for a lifetime. The fact that her master treated her like a piece of property upsets readers the most. Dr. Flint took away all of Linda’s basic human rights and legal protection without a second thought. Most slaves had experienced beatings, deaths, family separations and broken souls throughout their lives. If they themselves have not had one of these horrific incidents happen to them, they have definitely witnessed it enough times to consider it normal. When Linda addresses the reader she states,” Reader, be assured that this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of my adventures may seem incredible; but they are nevertheless, strictly true. I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by slavery; on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts.” By informing us of the truth, Brent only hopes to catch the reader’s attention and prove the seriousness of slavery. Linda has been abused psychologically in her past more than one can imagine, but all we can do to help is to prevent history from repeating itself.
Mr Farley,
where should we post the blog for Their Eyes Were Watching God?
Mr. Farley I am leaving for London tomorrow and while I am there I have no access Internet service at the camp I am staying at. Here is my post for Their eyes Were Watching God. Since the post page is not up for this novel yet I will post it here. I have asked a friend to copy and paste it to the correct page when it becomes available but they might forget and I have no way of reminding them for two weeks. I hope it is alright that I post it on this page. Thank you for understanding.
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a novel written by Zora Neale Hurston in 1937. It tells the story of a southern beauty Janie Crawford and her journey through childhood, three marriages, finally finding love, and losing the ones she loved. All throughout the novel Janie meets different kinds of people. It is these characters, the people Janie meets in her travels, who make the story so compelling and emotional. While reading this book I often found myself smiling with Janie, laughing with Janie, becoming frustrated with Janie, and crying with Janie. I became so emotionally attached and connected with Janie because the author had an amazing way of introducing characters and bringing them into the plot in a way that I felt I actually knew them. The first time a character was introduced I immediately had an image in my head of what this character looked like and acted like and even smelt like. The names used by the author were the paint and the brush of these images. The character names Tea Cake, Sop-de-Bottom, and Motor Boat along with others gave me an instant image and sense of the people Janie interacted with everyday.
Mr. Farley I am leaving for Las Vegas tommorow and will have no access to a computer so I am going to put my post for Their Eyes Were Watching God on this page. Thank you.
Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston, is a novel about the constant change in the life of Janie Crawford. The story unveils the somewhat frequent change in scenery and love that Janie endures, for with each husband, she moves away from her old home and starts off somewhere new. A key ingredient in this novel was the recurring use of dialogue. Zora Neale Hurston chose to use a strong Southern accent in each of the characters to create the mood of the South. The use of misspelled words and slurs created a feel for the culture and native tongue of the South. The novel contained mostly dialogue and had some narration between the conversations of the characters. The dialogue allowed for the reader to hear the thoughts and opinions of each character, as opposed to simply their actions told through a narration. The dialogue enhanced the novel and allowed for a greater visualization of the characters because of their southern accents. It made me appreciate my years of schooling and proper education, for this is what many lacked in the south.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Dialogue
Zora Neale Hurston uses dialogue in her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God as a way to demonstrate to readers the mindset of both African Americans and Caucasians in the South. Although the story’s setting takes place after the abolishment of slavery and the end of the Civil War, both races keep the same opinion as before the Civil War began. The Caucasians, for example, still believe that their race will always remain superior to the African race. This is shown in the book by the way they speak to the African Americans. Hurston also reveals that some of the African Americans do not believe that they can achieve many of their goals in life because of their race. For example, when Janie’s second husband, Joe, believes he will open his own store and home, many are skeptical. Hurston’s use of words and dialogue reveal each character’s thoughts, personality, and beliefs.
The protagonist of the the novel "Their eyes were watching God" Janie Crawford, is influenced by many people throughout her life. The most influential person however is her third husband Tea Cake. Before marrying Tea Cake, Janie was miserable and felt as though her life had no purpose. Once she met Tea Cake she felt youthful and full of life again. Unlike her previous husbands Tea Cake allows Janie to be who she truly is and together they have a marriage full of love and laughter.
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