"The raven" and "The celebrated jumping frogs of Calaveras country" Compare the two stories through the lens of a single figurative language item. Select one figurative language item from each work, and discuss how the author uses it for meaning/purpose, and how it fits into the setting and time frame of the story (aesthetic).
In both "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe and "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" by Mark Twain, the authors employ figurative language to convey depth and meaning in their respective tales. While "The Raven" explores the themes of grief and melancholy using repetition, "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" showcases humor and wit through the use of hyperbole.
In Poe's "The Raven," the figurative language of repetition serves as a literary device to heighten the sense of despair and isolation experienced by the protagonist. The repeated phrase "nevermore" uttered by the raven symbolizes the protagonist's inability to escape his grief and loneliness. Through this repetition, Poe emphasizes the relentless nature of loss and its haunting effects on the narrator. This figurative language item underscores the dark and brooding atmosphere, typical of Gothic literature, which has a timeless quality that transcends the specific setting and time frame of the story.
On the other hand, Twain employs hyperbole in "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" to create a humorous and exaggerated tone. The narrator exaggerates the talents and abilities of Jim Smiley's frog, Dan'l Webster, through vivid descriptions that stretch the boundaries of reality. This hyperbolic language serves a comic purpose, adding a lighthearted and entertaining element to the story. The use of hyperbole enhances the aesthetic of the Old West setting and time frame, where tall tales and boasting were commonplace.
In essence, the authors of both "The Raven" and "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" employ figurative language to enhance their stories. Poe uses repetition to convey a sense of despair and isolation, fitting within the Gothic setting and timeless themes of grief. Meanwhile, Twain's use of hyperbole adds humor and amplifies the entertainment value of the narrator's tall tale, fitting within the exaggerated nature of the Old West setting. Through these figurative language items, the authors bring depth and dimension to their respective stories, creating a lasting impact on readers.
In both "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe and "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" by Mark Twain, the authors employ figurative language to enhance the meaning and aesthetic of their stories. Through the lens of figurative language, let's analyze the use of imagery in "The Raven" and irony in "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County."
In "The Raven," Edgar Allan Poe employs vivid imagery to create a haunting and melancholic atmosphere. One notable use of figurative language is Poe's portrayal of the Raven as a symbol of death and despair. The speaker of the poem describes the bird as a "grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous" presence. Here, Poe uses several adjectives to evoke a visual image of the Raven's physical appearance as well as its ominous aura. The purpose of this figurative language is to intensify the sense of dread and unease in the poem. The Raven serves as a metaphorical representation of the speaker's grief and serves as a reminder of the inevitability of death. This use of imagery fits seamlessly into the dark and Gothic setting of the poem, as well as the time frame in which it was written. Poe's gothic aesthetic aims to immerse the reader in a world of darkness, despair, and the supernatural, and the vivid imagery of the Raven contributes significantly to this aesthetic.
On the other hand, in "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County," Mark Twain incorporates irony to add humor and satire to the story. One particular instance of irony found in the story is the way Twain describes Jim Smiley's betting habits. Despite being known for his gambling addiction, Smiley has an unusual obsession with betting on the most trivial and unexpected competitions. Twain uses irony to highlight the absurdity of Smiley's behavior and to poke fun at the concept of gambling itself. The use of irony throughout the story not only adds comedic effect but also serves as a commentary on human nature and the foolishness of certain endeavors. By utilizing irony, Twain creates a humorous and lighthearted tone that fits well with the rural and playful setting of the story. It captures the essence of the time frame in which the story is placed, showcasing the humorous and carefree spirit of the American West during the mid-19th century.
In conclusion, both Edgar Allan Poe and Mark Twain skillfully utilize figurative language in their respective works to enhance the meaning and aesthetic. Through the use of vivid imagery in "The Raven" and irony in "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County," the authors successfully immerse readers in their distinct settings and time frames. The figurative language items employed contribute to the overall tone and purpose of each story, whether it is to convey a sense of darkness and melancholy or to provide humor and satire.
To compare the stories "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe and "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" by Mark Twain through the lens of a single figurative language item, let's focus on the use of irony in both works.
First, in "The Raven," Poe employs dramatic irony. The narrator is grieving the loss of his beloved Lenore and becomes engrossed in deep melancholy. However, when the raven enters his chamber, the narrator asks it questions, hoping for some consolation. The irony lies in the fact that the raven's repeated response of "Nevermore" serves only to deepen the narrator's despair, as it reminds him of the permanence of his loss. This use of irony allows Poe to emphasize the theme of despair and the futility of seeking solace in the face of death.
In contrast, "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" relies on verbal irony. The story revolves around the narrator's encounter with Simon Wheeler, a backwoodsman who expounds at length about a frog-jumping contest. By presenting Wheeler as long-winded and irrelevant, the author creates a sense of irony. The narrator initially approaches Wheeler seeking information about a different man, Leonidas W. Smiley, but instead, he is subjected to an imaginative tale about frog jumping. This use of irony serves to entertain the reader through humorous exaggeration, adding a light-hearted tone to the story.
In terms of the setting and time frame, "The Raven" is set in a gloomy, bleak chamber, adding to the sense of melancholy. The use of dramatic irony complements the gothic atmosphere prevalent during the Romantic period, highlighting the inner anguish of the narrator and the despair associated with loss. This choice of figurative language aligns with the aesthetic tendencies of the mid-19th century, emphasizing the depth of human emotions and the inevitability of mortality.
On the other hand, "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" is set in a rural mining community during the mid-19th century, specifically during the time of the California Gold Rush. The use of verbal irony reflects the playful, satirical nature of Mark Twain's writing style. By employing irony, Twain captures the essence of the colloquial language and humorous storytelling often associated with that time and place.
In summary, both "The Raven" and "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" utilize different types of irony to convey their respective meanings and fit into the aesthetic of their stories. Poe's dramatic irony enhances the feelings of despair and grief within the gothic setting, while Twain's verbal irony adds a lighthearted tone to his humorous narrative set in a rural, mining community during the Gold Rush era.