Blog Number 2

After learning about how in depth literature really is, one can look back and realize that many literary devices can be applied to all works of literature. Going through works, especially ones that I have read before you realize stuff that you might have missed the first time, like parts of a plot or the realization that flashback or forwards are integral parts of the story line rather than more words on a page.

Knowing literature terminology gives one a different perspective on the interpretation of literature, because instead of just going and trying to interpret the deep meaning of the work, you can work from the outside in, towards the deep meaning. For example in a story that uses medias res, the author must use flashback and flash forwards to explain how the characters develop towards the overall plot. When an author uses foreshadowing, you could not even know it was in use until the foreshadowed event happens in the story, then one could realize that the author used foreshadowing in the story.

Literary terms could help one realize the intentional uses of the point of view of the narrator by the author. By choosing a certain point of view the author limits or expands what the reader knows about the story. If the narrator is limited then the reader is limited leaving the reader to speculate about the other characters. However if the narrator is omniscient then the reader has more variables in the characters thoughts and feeling, the reader could form a completely different opinion about the story.

I fell that many authors use these literary devices on purpose because it leads to better story telling. However if the author uses literary devices to try and manipulate a certain interpretation from the reader it might not always work because my interpretation of foreshadowing may lead me to a very different conclusion than it would someone else.

Knowing literary devices are good in all but it does not make the story any more entertaining. Authors may use literary devices but sometimes they might just write a story to have fun. I think people overanalyze, looking for meaning in literature, trying to find what the hidden meaning is behind the author’s words, but sometimes I think they might mean exactly what they say. Besides what is more fun, reading a story to analyze and categorize it or simply to read and be entertained?

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