Parallelism
Literary Devices
Parallelism Definition
 Parallelism is the use of components in a sentence that
are grammatically the same; or similar in their
construction, sound, meaning or meter.
 Parallelism examples are found in literary works as well as
ordinary conversations.
Common Examples
 This method adds balance
and rhythm to sentences
giving ideas a smoother flow
and thus can be persuasive
because of the repetition it
employs. For example,
“Alice ran into the room, into
the garden, and into our
hearts.” We see that
repetition of a phrase that
not only gives the sentence
a balance but rhythm and
flow as well. This repetition
can also occur in similar
structured clauses e.g.
“Whenever you need me,
wherever you need me, I will
be there for you.”
 Like father, like son.
 The escaped prisoner was
wanted dead or alive.
 Easy come, easy go.
 Whether in class, at work or
at home, Shasta was always
busy.
 Flying is fast, comfortable,
and safe.
Parallelism in Literature
 Antithesis is a kind of parallelism
in which two opposite ideas are
put together in parallel
structures.
 Alexander Pope in his “An Essay
on Criticism” uses antithetic
parallel structure.
 “To err is human; to forgive is
divine.”
 John Donne’s Poem “Community”
“Good we must love, and must hate
ill,
For ill is ill, and good good still;
But there are things indifferent,
Which we may neither hate, nor love,
But one, and then another prove,
As we shall find our fancy bent.”
Parallelism in Literature
 Repetition of parallel
structures in the following
lines from “A Tale of Two
Cities” by Charles Dickens:
 By repeating “It was…” in
the passage, the readers
are prompted to focus on
the traits of the “age” they
will read about in the
succeeding passages.
“It was the best of times, it was
the worst of times, it was the
age of wisdom, it was the age
of foolishness, it was the
epoch of belief, it was the
epoch of incredulity, it was
the season of Light, it was the
season of Darkness, it was the
spring of hope, it was the
winter of despair”
Function of Parallelism
 The use of parallel structures in speech or writing allows
speakers and writers to maintain a consistency within
their work and create a balanced flow of ideas.
Moreover, it can be employed as a tool for persuasion as
well because of the repetition it uses.
 Remember it has similar construction, sound, meaning or
meter.
Allegory
Literary Devices
Allegory Definition
 Allegory is a figure of speech in which abstract ideas and
principles are described in terms of characters, figures
and events. It can be employed in prose and poetry to
tell a story with a purpose of teaching an idea and a
principle or explaining an idea or a principle. The
objective of its use is to preach some kind of a moral
lesson.
Common Examples
 Allegory is an archaic term and used specifically in
literary works. It is difficult to spot its occurrence in
everyday life, although recently, we do find example of
allegory in political debates. The declaration of an ex-US
president G.W Bush was allegorical when he used the
term “Axis of Evil” for three countries and later the term
“allies” for those countries that would wage war against
the “Axis”.
Allegory in Literature
 “Animal Farm” by George
Orwell, is an allegory that
uses animals on a farm to
describe the overthrow of
the last of the Russian Tsar
Nicholas II and the
Communist Revolution of
Russia before WW II. The
actions of the animals on the
farm are used to expose the
greed and corruption of the
revolution. It also describes
how powerful people can
change the ideology of a
society. One of the cardinal
rules on the farm for the
animals is:
 The animals on the farm
represent different sections
of Russian society after the
revolution. For instance, the
pigs represent those who
came to power following the
revolution; “Mr. Jones” the
owner of the farm represents
the overthrown Tsar Nicholas
II; while “Boxer” the horse,
represents the laborer class
etc. The use of allegory in
the novel allows Orwell to
make his position clear
about the Russian Revolution
and expose its evils.
Animal Farm Example
THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is
an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or
has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other
animal.
7. All animals are equal.
 Allegory of the idealism of
communism and forced equality
"Muriel," she said, "read me
the Fourth Commandment.
Does it not say something
about never sleeping in a
bed?" […]
With some difficulty Muriel
spelt it out... "It says, 'No
animal shall sleep in a bed
with sheets,"' she announced
finally. (6.10-6.13)
 This is a representation of how
the Stalinism controlled the
civilians of Russia
Function of Allegory
 Writers use allegory to add different layers of meanings to
their works. Allegory makes their stories and characters
multidimensional, so that they stand for something larger
in meaning than what they literally stand for. Allegory
allows writers to put forward their moral and political
point of views. A careful study of an allegorical piece of
writing can give us an insight into its writer’s mind as how
he views the world and how he wishes the world to be.
Theme
Literary Devices
Theme Definition
 Theme is defined as a main idea
or an underlying meaning of a
work that may be stated directly
or indirectly.
 Major and minor themes are two
types of themes that appear in
literary works. A major theme is
an idea that a writer repeats in
his work, making it the most
significant idea in a literary work.
A minor theme, on the other
hand, refers to an idea that
appears in a work briefly and
gives way to another minor
theme.
To Present a Theme
 A writer presents themes in a literary work through several
ways. A writer may express a theme through the feelings
of his main character about the subject he has chosen to
write about. Similarly, themes are presented through
thoughts and conversations of different characters.
Moreover, the experiences of the main character in the
course of a literary work give us an idea about its theme.
Finally, the actions and events taking place in a narrative
are consequential in determining its theme.
Theme in Literature
 Love and friendship are
frequently occurring
themes in literature. They
generate emotional twists
and turns in a narrative
and can lead to a variety
of endings: happy, sad or
bittersweet. The following
are famous literary works
with love and friendship
themes:
 Romeo and Juliet by
William Shakespeare
 Wuthering Heights by Emily
Bronte
 Anna Karenina by Leo
Tolstoy
 Pride and Prejudice by
Jane Austen
 The Fault in Our Stars by
John Green
Theme in Literature
 The theme of war has
been explored in literature
since ancient times. The
literary woks utilizing this
theme may either glorify or
criticize the idea of war.
Most recent literary works
portray war as a curse for
humanity due to the
suffering it inflicts. Some
famous examples are:
 Scorpions by Walter Dean
Myers
 The Outsiders by S. E.
Hinton
 The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
 Number the Stars by Lois
Lowry
Theme in Literature
 Crime and mystery are
utilized in detective novels.
Such narratives also include
sub-themes such as “crimes
cannot be hidden”, “evil is
always punished” etc. Some
well-known crime and
mystery theme examples
are:
 Set in Stone by Linda
Newberry
 Da Vinci Code Code by Dan
Brown
 Bleak House by Charles
Dickens
 The Curious Incident of the
Dog in the Night-Time by
Mark Haddon
 Monster by Walter Dean
Myers
Theme in Literature
 Revenge is another
recurrent theme found in
many popular literary
works. A character comes
across certain
circumstances that make
him aware of his need for
revenge. The outcome of
his action is often bitter but
sometimes they may end
up being satisfied.
Examples are:
 Hamlet and Macbeth by
William Shakespeare
 Burn for Burn by Jenny Han
 The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexander Dumas
 The girl Who Kicked the
Hornet’s Nest by Steig
Larsson
 The Seer of Shadows by Avi
Function of Theme
 Theme is an element of a story that binds together
various other essential elements of a narrative. It is a truth
that exhibits universality and stands true for people of all
cultures. Theme gives readers better understanding of
the main character’s conflicts, experiences, discoveries
and emotions as they are derived from them. Through
themes, a writer tries to give his readers an insight into
how the world works or how he or she views human life.
Symbolism
Literary Devices
Symbolism
Definition
 Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and
qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are
different from their literal sense.
 Symbolism can take different forms. Generally, it is an
object representing another to give it an entirely different
meaning that is much deeper and more significant.
Sometimes, however, an action, an event or a word
spoken by someone may have a symbolic value. For
instance, “smile” is a symbol of friendship. Similarly, the
action of someone smiling at you may stand as a symbol
of the feeling of affection which that person has for you.
Common Examples
 In our daily life, we can
easily identify objects, which
can be taken as examples
of symbol such as the
following:
 The dove is a symbol of
peace
 A red rose or red color
stand for love or
romance
 Black is a symbol that
represents evil or death
 A broken mirror may
symbolize separation
Symbolism in Literature
 To develop symbolism in his
work, a writer utilizes other
figures of speech, like
metaphors, similes, allegory,
as tools. Some symbolism
examples in literature are
listed below with brief
analysis
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women
merely players;
they have their exits and their
entrances;
And one man in his time plays
many parts,”
 Shakespeare’s famous
monologue from “As You
Like It”
 The above lines are symbolic
of the fact that men and
women, in course of their life
perform different roles. “A
stage” here symbolizes the
world and “players” is a
symbol for human beings.
Symbolism in Literature
 William Blake goes
symbolic in his poem Ah
Sunflower.
“Ah Sunflower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the
sun;
Seeking after that sweet
golden clime
Where the traveler’s journey is
done;”
 Blake uses a sunflower as a
symbol for human beings
and “the sun” symbolizes
life. Therefore, these lines
symbolically refer to their
life cycle and their
yearning for a neverending life.
Symbolism in Literature
 Emily Bronte’s Wuthering
Heights presents almost every
character, house, surroundings
and events in a symbolic
perspective. The word
“Wuthering”, which means
stormy, represents the wild
nature of its inhabitants. The
following lines allow us to look
into the symbolic nature of
two characters:
“My love for Linton is like the
foliage in the woods. Time will
change it; I’m well aware, as
winter changes the trees. My
love for Heathcliff resembles the
eternal rocks beneath a source
of little visible delight, but
necessary.”
 The phrase “foliage of
leaves” for Linton is a symbol
for his fertile and civilized
nature. On the contrary,
Heathcliff is likened to an
“eternal rock” which
symbolizes his crude and
unbendable nature.
Function of Symbolism
 Symbolism gives a writer freedom to add double levels of
meanings to his work: a literal one that is self-evident and
the symbolic one whose meaning is far more profound
than the literal one. The symbolism, therefore, gives
universality to the characters and the themes of a piece
of literature. Symbolism in literature evokes interest in
readers as they find an opportunity to get an insight of
the writer’s mind on how he views the world and how he
thinks of common objects and actions, having broader
implications.
Repetition
Literary Devices
Repetition Definition
 Repetition is a literary device that repeats the same
words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer.
There are several types of repetitions commonly used in
both prose and poetry. As a rhetorical device, it could be
a word, a phrase or a full sentence or a poetical line
repeated to emphasize its significance in the entire text.
Repetition is not distinguished solely as a figure of speech
but more as a rhetorical device.
Types of Repetition
The following examples of repetition are classified according to
the different types of repetition used in literature and in daily
conversations
 Anadiplosis: Repetition of the last
word in a line or clause.
 Anaphora:Repetition of words at
the start of clauses or verses.
 Antistasis: Repetition of word s or
phrases in opposite sense.
 Diacope: Repetition of words
broken by some other words.
 Epanalepsis: Repetition of same
words at the end and start of a
sentence.
 Epimone: Repetition of a phrase
(usually a question) to stress a
point.

Epiphora: Repetition of the same
word at the end of each clause.

Gradatio: A construction in poetry
where the last word of one clause
becomes the first of the next and so
on.

Negative-Positive Restatement:
Repetition of an idea first in negative
terms and then in positive terms.

Polyptoton: Repetition of words of the
same root with different endings

Symploce: It is a combination of
anaphora and epiphora in which
repetition is both at the end and at
the beginning.
Repetition in Literature
I’m nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody too?
Then there’s a pair of us-don’t
tell!
They’d banish us you know.
 These lines have been
taken from “I’m nobody!
Who are You?” by Emily
Dickinson
 Observe how she has used
“nobody” to emphasize
her point in her poem to
create an association with
the person she is talking
about.
Repetition in Literature
Because I do not hope to turn
again
Because I do not hope
Because I do not hope to
turn…
 These three lines have
been taken from “AshWednesday” authored by
T. S. Eliot, a famous modern
poet of the 20th century.
 The repetition of a full
phrase shows us mastery
the poet has acquired in
using words and phrases to
make his point clear and
emphasize that he has no
hope of coming back.
Repetition in Literature
I looked upon the rotting sea,
And drew my eyes away;
I looked upon the rotting
deck,
And there the dead men lay.
 These lines have been
taken from the famous
poem “Rime of the
Ancient Mariner” by S.T.
Coleridge. The poem tells a
story where a seafarer tells
about his adventures in the
sea.
Repetition in Literature
“My conscience hath a
thousand several tongues,
And every tongue brings in a
several tale,
And every tale condemns me
for a villain.”
 These lines have been
taken from “Richard III” by
William Shakespeare. These
lines show the repetition of
a phrase that occurs at the
end of the first and then
start of the second line. It is
called anadiplosis.
Repetition in Literature
“A horse is a horse, of course,
of course,
And no one can talk to a
horse of course
That is, of course, unless the
horse is the famous Mister Ed.”
 These lines are among the
repetition examples from
the theme song of Mr. Ed,
a 1960s TV program. This is
an example of a diacope
type of rhetorical
repetition. There is
repetition but it is broken
up with several other
words.
Function of Repetition
 The Beauty of using figurative language is that the pattern it arranges the
words into is nothing like our ordinary speech. It is not only stylistically
appealing but it also helps convey the message in much more engaging
and notable way. The aura that is created by the usage of repetition cannot
be achieved through any other device. It has the ability of making a simple
sentence sound like a dramatic one. It enhances the beauty of a sentence
and stresses on the point of main significance. Repetition often uses word
associations to express the ideas and emotions in an indirect manner. The
beauty of reading a piece with repetition in it is the balance where we, as
readers, have to decipher such associations and understand the underlying
meanings.
 Repetition as a literary term can be used both constructively and
destructively. The constructive usage encompasses functions such as,
putting emphasis on a point, confirming a fact or an idea, cohesion,
mimesis, transition, showing impartiality and or describing a notion. The same
literary device when used destructively can disintegrate the entire piece of
writing Erasure, redundancy, continuous present, fragmentation, copying
and habitual misuse of the literary device are among the destructive effects.
Thesis
Literary Devices
Thesis Definition
 A thesis is a statement in a non-fiction or a fiction work that
a writer intends to support and prove.
 One can find examples of thesis statement at the beginning
of literary pieces. These thesis statements are of utmost
importance, as they serve as clear indicators as to which
directions writers will follow in their work.
 A thesis statement is carefully chosen by a writer and is
marked by vigilant selection of words that will never miss its
target. Generally, such a statement shows up in the first
paragraph or what is called an introduction. Despite writers’
efforts to prove their thesis statements, not all of these
statements can be verified for their exactness. Nevertheless,
they do develop an argument.
Importance of a Thesis Statement
 In writing an essay, a thesis statement determines the worth
of an essay by its capacity to stay focused on its thesis
statement. For an instance, if a writer fails to clearly mention
or define a solid thesis statement in his or her essay, it will be
almost impossible for him or her to pay attention to the issue
he or she plans to discuss and explain. Suppose a writer
wants to write an essay on how to make a perfect fruit
salad, the quality of his or her writing will exceedingly
improve if he or she lets the readers have knowledge of the
subject matter at the start of the essay:
 “In this essay, I will tell you how to make the perfect fruit
salad in the world that is not only tasteful for your taste buds
but also healthful for your body.”
Narrative Thesis Example
 In a narrative essay or
narrative section of a piece
of literature, a thesis
statement is called a
narrative thesis. A narrative
thesis can be an apparent
one or a hidden or implied
one. In both cases, such a
statement is a powerful
propelling force behind an
entire work that guides it
toward its ultimate purpose
and the lesson it intends to
instruct.
 It is a truth universally
acknowledged that a single
man in possession of a good
fortune, must be in want of a
wife. – Jane Austen
 Lolita, light of my life, fire of
my loins. – Vladimir Nabokov
 Happy families are all alike;
every unhappy family is
unhappy in its own way. –
Leo Tolstoy
Narrative Thesis Example
 Many years later, as he
faced the firing squad,
Colonel Aureliano Buendía
was to remember that
distant afternoon when his
father took him to discover
ice. – Gabriel García
Márquez
 It was a bright cold day in
April, and the clocks were
striking thirteen. – George
Orwell
 If you really want to hear
about it, the first thing
you’ll probably want to
know is where I was born,
and what my lousy
childhood was like, and
how my parents were
occupied and all before
they had me, and all that
David Copperfield kind of
crap, but I don’t feel like
going into it, if you want to
know the truth. – J. D.
Salinger
Function of Thesis
 The examples clearly reveal the function of a thesis
statements or a narrative thesis as a driving force behind
a literary composition. It guides the narrative toward its
ultimate purpose, which is the moral lesson it aims to
inculcate.
Essay
Literary Device
Definition of Essay
 Essay is derived from a French word essayer, which
means to attempt, or to try. An essay is a short form of
literary composition based on a single subject matter,
and often gives personal opinion of an author. A famous
English essayist Aldous Huxley defines essays as, “a literary
device for saying almost everything about almost
anything.” Oxford Dictionary describes it as “a short
piece of writing on a particular subject.” In simple words,
we can define it as a scholarly work in writing that
provides the author’s personal argument.
Types of Essay
There are two forms of essays; literary and nonliterary. Literary essays are of four types:
 Expository Essay – In an
expository essay, the writers
give explanation of an idea,
theme or issue to the
audience by giving their
personal opinions. This essay
is presented through
examples, definitions,
comparison, and contrast
 Narrative Essay – Narrative
essay is non-fiction, but
describes a story with
sensory descriptions. The
writers not only tell story, but
also make a point by giving
reasons.
 Descriptive Essay – As it sounds
like, it gives description about a
particular topic or describes the
traits and characteristics of
something or a person in details.
It allows artistic freedom and
creates images in the minds of
readers through the use of five
senses.
 Persuasive Essay – In this type of
essay, a writer tries to convince
his readers to adopt his position
on a point of view or issue after
he provides them solid reasoning
in this connection. It requires a
lot of research to claim and
defend an idea
Essay (Of Love by Francis Bacon
 “It is impossible to love, and be wise … Love is a child of
folly. … Love is ever rewarded either with the reciprocal,
or with an inward and secret contempt. You may observe
that amongst all the great and worthy persons…there is
not one that hath been transported to the mad degree of
love: which shows that great spirits and great business do
keep out this weak passion…That he had preferred
Helena, quitted the gifts of Juno and Pallas. For
whosoever esteemeth too much of amorous affection
quitted both riches and wisdom.”
 In this excerpt, Bacon attempts to persuade the readers
that people, who want to be successful in this world, they
must never fall in love.
Essay (The Autobiography of Kettle by
John Russell)
 “I am afraid I do not attract attention, and yet there is not
a single home in which I could done without. I am only a
small, black kettle but I have much to interest me, for
something new happens to me every day. The kitchen is
not always a cheerful place in which to live, but still I find
plenty of excitement there, and I am quite happy and
contented with my lot…”
 In the following example, the author is telling an
autobiography of a kettle and describes the whole story
in chronological order.
Function of Essay
 The function of an essay depends upon the subject
matter, whether the writer wants to inform, persuade,
explain or entertain. In fact, the essay increases the
analytical and intellectual abilities of the writers as well as
readers. It evaluates and tests the writing skills of a writer
and organizes his/her thinking to respond personally or
critically to an issue. Through an essay, the writers present
their arguments in a more sophisticated manner. In
addition, it encourages the students to develop
concepts and skills such as analysis, comparison and
contrast, clarity, exposition, conciseness, and persuasion.
Conflict
Literary Device
Conflict Definition
 In literature, a conflict is a literary element that involves a
struggle between two opposing forces usually a
protagonist and an antagonist.
Types of Conflict
Internal
External
 An internal or psychological
conflict arises as soon as a
character experiences two
opposite emotions or desires;
usually virtue or vice, or
good and evil inside him. This
disagreement causes a
character to suffer mental
agony. Internal conflict
develops a unique tension in
a storyline marked by a lack
of action.
 External conflict, on the
other hand, is marked by a
characteristic involvement
of an action wherein a
character finds himself in
struggle with those outside
forces that hamper his
progress. The most common
type of an external conflict is
where a protagonist fights
back against the
antagonist’s tactics that
impede his or her
advancement.
Conflict in Literature

Hamlet’s internal conflict “Hamlet”.
This internal conflict decides his
tragic downfall. He reveals his state
of mind in the following lines from
Act 3, Scene 1 of the play:
“To be, or not to be–that is the
question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous
fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of
troubles
And by opposing end them. To die, to
sleep…”

The conflict here is that he wants to
kill his father’s murderer “Claudius”
but he also looks for a proof to
justify his action ultimately ruining
his life and the lives of his loved
ones. Due to his internal conflict,
he spoils his relation with his mother
and sends “Ophelia” into such a
state of despair that she commits a
suicide. Hamlet’s internal conflict
or which is regarded as
indecisiveness almost got everyone
killed at the end of the play. The
resolution to the conflict came
when he killed “Claudius” by
assuming fake madness for the
reason that he would not be asked
for any justification. In the same
play, we find Hamlet engaged in
an external conflict with his uncle
“Claudius”.
Function of Conflict
 Both internal and external conflicts are essential elements
of a storyline. It is essential for a writer to introduce and
develop conflict, internal or external or both, in his
storyline in order to achieve a story goal i.e. the resolution
of a conflict in order to entertain his readers.