Coherence and Interruption - Essay Example

Harris Kamran English Literature Analysis 29 July Coherence and Interruption Fictional Essay: Traditionally, the short story has a conventionaland fixed structure which defines it and makes it different from other forms of prose writing, such as a drama or a script. However, some writers have tried and succeeded in breaking free of the set structure of short story writing in order to introduce a new approach and perspective to the story, and to develop and enhance the effect of the tale. Joseph Conrad’s “The Lagoon” is one such example.

To begin with, “The Lagoon” is mostly a monologue, delivered by the protagonist, Arsat (Beiderwell and Wheeler). The narrative itself forms a minor portion of the story, which unfolds and develops almost entirely in that monologue. This is more similar to the structure of a play or drama than to a short story. The other main character, the “white man”, hardly has any lines, with there being almost no dialogue or conversation (Beiderwell and Wheeler). A second interesting point to be noted is that none of the characters are referred to by their names in the narrative except for Arsat.

Therefore, we find other characters named as the “white man”, the “steersman”, and generally, as “the Malay” (Beiderwell and Wheeler). Although we do find out, through the monologue, that the white man’s name is “Tuan” (Beiderwell and Wheeler), he is never named thus in the actual narrative. The emphasis, therefore, is completely on Arsat. This is another deterrence from the structure of a short story, in which emphasis is mostly placed on characterization. A third unexpected approach is the complete absence of any physical description of any of the characters, except for that of Arsat’s; and even in his case, the physical description is kept to a minimum, once again deviating from the set patterns of characterization.

All these escapes from normal structure have resulted in a greater emphasis on the character of Arsat, the protagonist; and more than his character, his speech, which delivers the main idea or theme of the story. By developing on the character and monologue of the protagonist at the expense of other characters, the writer has ensured the impartation of the desired effect. Poetry Essay: Poetry, indeed, is a different element than the everyday use of language, whether is speech or writing. The form and structure of the poem, and the diction and syntax, do not usually coincide with the use of words in our common language.

Poetry is, therefore, a destruction of the everyday language. However, it is essential to be that way. It is a medium of expression of thoughts and ideas in a way that they would touch the heart and soul in an economy of words and expressions. The poem is meant to be larger-than-life, over-the-top experience of everyday emotions expressed in a grand and romantic fashion. The topic or theme may not always be love, but the treatment is always romantic. Let us discuss two poems; “At the bomb testing site” by William E.

Stafford, and “All day I hear the noise of waters” by James Joyce. In the first poem, the protagonist is a lizard. However, this lizard has been given “elbows” and “hands” and has been treated like a human being (Beiderwell and Wheeler). This anthropomorphism is deliberately added to impart a human sense and touch to the poem, and to deliver the message of war to the readers. This is a way for the readers to connect with the poem and to feel the theme that the poet is trying to drive across.

Also, lines like “a panting lizard waited for history” (Beiderwell and Wheeler) are not commonly used in everyday language. This is important in the poem, however, to refer to the life and development of the human beings, and their ultimate end with the war. Therefore, it is hence evident that in order to economize on the words, the poet has to take a leave from the common usage of language and introduce the concepts in a varied array of styles and structure. The other poem, too, uses some unusual techniques to set the mood.

While referring to a sea-bird, the poet writes, “he hears the winds cry to the water’s monotone” (Beiderwell and Wheeler). The element of crying associated with the wind, and that of monotone associated with water, are proof of the unusual usage of language. However, it is necessary to develop feelings of melancholy and depression in the reader, because later in the next stanza, the poet refers to himself and comes to the point of his own despair and loneliness, with lines like “the grey winds, the cold winds are blowing where I go” (Beiderwell and Wheeler).

The reader, by now, has come into the intended mood of the poem. Works Cited Beiderwell,Bruce, and Jeffery M. Wheeler. The Literary Experience (Compact Edition). U.S.: Thomson, 2008. Print.