Abject Design: a Psychoanalytic/Structuralist Analysis of Julia Kristeva’s “the Old Man and the Wolves”

Questions reader should ask when trying to determine symbolic meaning: “what’s the writer doing with this image, this object, this act; what possibilities are suggested by the movement of the narrative or the lyric; and most important, what does it feel like it’s doing?” (Foster 59).

In studying William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will, it becomes clear that the theme of “Inside/Outside” is visible at many different levels. One of the comedic methods applied is the mistaken identity of Viola and Sebastian. Another case is Malvolio’s sudden change of character and clothes. Furthermore, Feste, who acts as a professional fool in the play, turns out to be a bright and wise character, against the expectations of the readers. Without these important elements where the characters show to be entirely different on the outside than on the inside, the play would be less intriguing, and moreover, they are essential to develop major scenes.

Another literary element that Viramontes uses to better convey and develop Estrella’s character is figurative language. For example, “[the tools] seemed as confusing and foreign as the alphabet she could not decipher . . .the curves and tails of the tools

The use of simile in the last stanza ‘matchstick hands as pale as the violet stems they lived among’ is used to compare a frog to violet flowers, which are very delicate and easily broken. The innocence of childhood is painted through this visual technique as the narrator only sees the frogs being very delicate, but to the readers the simile also creates a vivid image of the condition of the ‘Frogs’/ the French. The use of first person helps to create a reminiscent tone about the narrator’s experiences, and further helps to stress the ideas of childhood innocence and the influence of war on children because the poem is written from a child’s perspective. The use of enjambment generates a conversational and personal tone, emphasizing to the readers the reality of the themes discussed throughout the poem. The use of symbolism of frogs as pets and also representing the French highlights the idea that adults saw ‘Frogs’ as insignificant or unworthy to speak about, whereas the children could not understand this adult thought, and they placed exemplary regard to the wellbeing of the

On the whole, the writer creates an immense contrast between both of these characters. The use of immaculate description, as well as short, sharp phrases assists the reader in gaining a vivid image of how these

Figurative language can help the author make a point. An author can use specific types of figurative language to convey a certain point which in the long run can express the purpose of an author’s work. Personification gives life like characteristics “ The fire was out to get her” (Walls). This personification shows her attachment with fire and the fear it causes her it also helps the reader connect with the writing letting the author better convey the purpose.

Of the countless examples of figurative language in Night I have decided to perform my in-depth analysis of the following three examples dispersed throughout the book.

-Concrete subjects are used to convey abstract feelings. The bounded feet with “marks and callouses” and the “asymmetrical cropped hair” are representatives of two different cultures. This literature device makes the essay more vivid and encourages readers to think.

Mulisch shows this new motif in another simile seen, “As when a drop of ink falls into a glass of water” (127). This distinguished simile presents the spreading of an initial thought or idea while illustrating the growth and change occuring before shifting into something, while similar to what it began, is new and unique. This look into a dreamy thought process that Mulisch has exposed to the reader teaches the lesson of change and showcases the importance of change throughout the novel. By putting this depth and confusing nature into the novel immediately after Anton has gone down into the deep water, it is used to relate the two as his body had just returned from the deep dark water, but his mind is still reeling from entering the dark corners of his mind and the memories and emotions from the assault. This inner dream dialogue needed to be placed in a situation just as swirled and confusing as the situation that the novel is based upon-

Imagery is a very important aspect of literature. Many different types of imagery exist and there is at least one dramatic purpose for each image. By analyzing William Shakespeare's

“Masque of the Red Death”, “The Lady of Shallot” and Edward Scissor hands are replete with symbolism universal symbols help readers gain a deeper meaning out of a text and can help readers make connections using several texts. The color black and works of art are symbols that can be found in all three works; in each work each symbol has a different purpose. while these three words have some symbols in common, they also have important symbols that are unique to each literary piece. These symbols are important because they reveal ideas and concepts that enrich meaning in literature.

In the play “Macbeth” we strongly agree about the statement “The most effective villain is one who attracts and repels.” Our essay includes or talks about the most effective villain which is Macbeth due to his crimes that he has committed and how he has changed throughout in the play. A theme that most supports this statement is “Appearance vs Reality,” of Macbeth. We will also include examples of the different appearances of Macbeth in different situations. To back up our statement there will be quotes which express the appearance of emotions on Macbeth’s face at time or situation and connect it with reality. “Did he really mean what he said or did?” The essay will also discuss about the different language features which are used in the quotes like, repetition.

Mark Fortier considers the Gustav Manuscript from the play which Constance uses to uncover the earlier versions of Othello and Romeo and Juliet which uncover the earlier source female characters.(Fortier Undead,348) Fortier also touches on the intermingling of genre in the reveal of the origin source version of the narratives as discussed above. Fortier explores MacDonald’s use of intertextuality between the Gustav Manuscript, allegedly containing the original texts used by Shakespeare, and Constance’s realisation of the Gustav women being made from peripheral parts in Shakespeare’s version.(Fortier Undead, 349) This is yet another layer of Intertextaulization and metatheatre working within Goodnight Desdemona as now not only is MacDonald applying Shakespeare in her adaptation, she also applies the notion of the original source document to Shakespeare in the discovery of the Gustav women hidden within Shakespeare, thus through intertextuality

Shakespeare’s work is among the hardest to read because of its supposed complexity and sophistication. The language used in the Early Modern Era is different than that of the Post Modern Era. Audiences that saw the performances were aural learners and were able to pinpoint certain tones and facial expressions that readers may not detect through words. Watching the plays performed provided better feedback than readings do (Palfrey 10-11). Metaphors, implicit or explicit, are figures of speech that help compare two unlike things and are not designed for literal intake. Yet, with Shakespeare’s work, metaphors should be taken literally. According to George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, however, this technique of comparison allows metaphors to simultaneously highlight and hide certain attributes and/or qualities about the thing(s) being compared to (12-13). The highlighting and hiding of metaphors gives readers more insight into what Shakespeare may have meant at the time or even more so in what context did the people of the Elizabethan Age use language (Palfrey 11). Two important components of metaphors that do the highlighting and hiding are the vehicle and the tenor; each can be implicit or explicit as well. The metaphor in question emphasizes both the importance and unimportance of Lavinia’s character.

In The Company of Wolves Carter endeavours to restore the helpless girl created in Perrault’s tale into a witty and self-reliant woman, fitting of today’s modern feminist. She is presented as a young woman in touch with her own sexuality who takes control of the situation and therefore saves herself from being eaten. In direct contrast, her grandmother, who conforms to the patriarchal systems of oppression, ends up dead. The grandmother represents the older generation; her life reduced to remembering her marriage and being devoted to the bible. Her lack of initiative to change her own life ultimately seals her fate. The reader is given evidence early on that the young girl does not conform to patriarchal