Apostrophe

Definition

Apostrophe is a rhetorical device where a speaker addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or a thing, often to express emotion or create a dramatic effect. This technique is widely used in poetry and literature to engage readers and evoke feelings, making it a vital aspect of poetic styles and major works.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In literature, apostrophe often appears in poems where the speaker directly addresses someone who is not present, such as a deceased person or a deity.
2. This device allows writers to convey intense emotions and establish a connection with the audience, drawing them into the speaker's experience.
3. One of the most famous examples of apostrophe can be found in John Keats' poem 'Ode to a Nightingale,' where he addresses the nightingale as if it can understand him.
4. Apostrophe helps to highlight themes of longing, loss, and love by allowing characters to vocalize their innermost thoughts to an imagined listener.
5. In African American literature before 1900, apostrophe was frequently employed in poetry and speeches to convey the struggles and aspirations of marginalized voices.

Review Questions

• How does apostrophe function as a tool for emotional expression in major works of African American literature?
  • Apostrophe serves as an emotional bridge between the speaker and their audience by allowing the speaker to address absent figures or concepts directly. In African American literature, this device often reveals the depth of personal and collective experiences, such as grief, hope, or resilience. By engaging with these absent entities, writers create a more intimate connection with readers and evoke powerful emotions tied to historical and cultural contexts.
• Discuss how apostrophe contributes to the overall poetic style found in works like those of Paul Laurence Dunbar or Phillis Wheatley.
  • Apostrophe enriches the poetic style of authors like Paul Laurence Dunbar and Phillis Wheatley by adding layers of meaning and emotional depth. Their use of this device allows them to articulate complex feelings towards freedom, identity, and social justice while addressing figures of authority or abstract concepts. This engagement not only enhances the lyrical quality of their work but also challenges societal norms by vocalizing the struggles faced by African Americans during their time.
• Evaluate the impact of apostrophe on themes of loss and longing in African American poetry before 1900.
  • Apostrophe plays a crucial role in expressing themes of loss and longing within African American poetry before 1900. By addressing absent loved ones or invoking ideals like freedom and equality, poets create poignant moments that resonate with their audiences. This rhetorical device transforms personal grief into universal experiences, allowing readers to reflect on their own feelings of absence and yearning. The effective use of apostrophe not only highlights individual pain but also connects it to broader social issues faced by African Americans during this period.

Related terms

Personification: A figure of speech where human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts.

Soliloquy: A dramatic speech in which a character speaks their thoughts aloud while alone on stage, revealing inner feelings and emotions.

Imagery: Language that appeals to the senses and creates visual representations in the reader's mind, often enhancing emotional response.