Thesis: Watership Down is built successfully around many epigraphs that foreshadow the direction each chapter will take and identify the seriousness of the actions that will be taken, as well as integrate into the story a level of literary depth and credibility.
Reason: The epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter summarize (mostly in just one line) what will happen in the chapter that follows.
Example: "Never in his life had he seen a river before - this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal... All was a-shake and a-shiver - glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and wirl, chatter and bubble." -Kenneth Grahame The Wind in the Willows- (Adams, 296)
Example: "His face was that of one who has undergone a long journey." -The Epic of Gilgamesh- (Adams, 147)
Example: "Never in his life had he seen a river before - this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal... All was a-shake and a-shiver - glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and wirl, chatter and bubble." -Kenneth Grahame The Wind in the Willows- (Adams, 296)
Example: "His face was that of one who has undergone a long journey." -The Epic of Gilgamesh- (Adams, 147)
Reason: The epigraphs do well in suggesting the seriousness of each chapter in terms of the strength of the action that will take place.
Example: "The centurion... commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea and get to land. And the rest, some on boards and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land." -The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 27- (Adams, 44)
Example: "Timorous answered, that they... had got up that difficult place: but, said he, the further we go, the more danger we meet with; wherefore we turned, and are going back again." -John Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress- (Adams, 55)
Example: "The centurion... commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea and get to land. And the rest, some on boards and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land." -The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 27- (Adams, 44)
Example: "Timorous answered, that they... had got up that difficult place: but, said he, the further we go, the more danger we meet with; wherefore we turned, and are going back again." -John Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress- (Adams, 55)
Reason: At most, the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter of Watership Down show that the author, Richard Adams, went to great lengths to incorporate various forms of literature to add to the depth and credibility of this novel.
Example: "You will be sure to prove that the act is unjust and hateful to the gods? Yes, indeed, Socrates; at least, if they will listen to me." -Plato Euthyphro- (Adams, 411)
Example: "Be not merciful unto them that offend of malicious wickedness. They grin like a dog and run about through the city. But thou, O Lord, shalt have them in derision. Thou shalt laugh all the heathen to scorn" -Psalm 59- (Adams, 398)
Example: "You will be sure to prove that the act is unjust and hateful to the gods? Yes, indeed, Socrates; at least, if they will listen to me." -Plato Euthyphro- (Adams, 411)
Example: "Be not merciful unto them that offend of malicious wickedness. They grin like a dog and run about through the city. But thou, O Lord, shalt have them in derision. Thou shalt laugh all the heathen to scorn" -Psalm 59- (Adams, 398)
Example:
"Don Alfonso: 'Eccovi il medico, signore belle.'
Ferrando and Guglielmo: 'Despina in maschera, che triste pelle!' " -Lorenzo da Ponte Cosi fan Tutte- (Adams, 103)
1 comment:
In your actual essay you will likely need to employ additional quotes (beyond the epigraphs themselves) to demonstrate the effectiveness of the epigraphs in foreshadowing the action.
T 4+
A 4+
C 4++
K 4+
Post a Comment