The sestina follows a strict pattern of the repetition of the initial six end-words of the first stanza through the remaining five six-line stanzas, culminating in a three-line envoi. The lines may be of any length, though in its initial incarnation, the sestina followed a syllabic restriction. The form is as follows, where each numeral indicates the stanza position and the letters represent end-words:
1. ABCDEF
2. FAEBDC
3. CFDABE
4. ECBFAD
5. DEACFB
6. BDFECA
7. (envoi) ECA or ACE
The envoi, sometimes known as the tornada, must also include the remaining three end-words, BDF, in the course of the three lines so that all six recurring words appear in the final three lines. In place of a rhyme scheme, the sestina relies on end-word repetition to effect a sort of rhyme.
(Excerpted from http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5792)
2. Motif: a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature. A motif may also be two contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil. In the Book of Genesis, we see the motif of separation again and again throughout the story. In the very first chapter, God separates the light from the darkness. Abraham and his descendants are separated from the rest of the nation as God's chosen people. Joseph is separated from his brothers in order that life might be preserved. Another motif is water, seen in Genesis as a means of destroying the wicked and in Matthew as a means of remitting sins by the employment of baptism. Other motifs in Genesis and Matthew include blood sacrifices, fire, lambs, and goats. A motif is important because it allows one to see main points and themes that the author is trying to express, in order that one might be able to interpret the work more accurately.
(Excerpted from: http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm)
3. Allusion: a reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature. Allusions are often used to summarize broad, complex ideas or emotions in one quick, powerful image.
(Excerpted from: http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm)
4. Garden of Eden: Genesis tells how God created the first human being, Adam. Then, because Adam needed a companion, God created the first woman, Eve, from one of Adam’s ribs. God created for these first two humans a perfect garden (known as the Garden of Eden and later called paradise), where everything was beautiful and full of good things for them. However, also in this garden was the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve were told by God that they could eat anything in the garden except the fruit of this tree (which, in some later traditions, was an apple tree).
Eve was tempted by a serpent, which is traditionally held to be the devil in the shape of a snake (see also Big ideas: Serpent, Devil, Satan, Beast). The serpent spoke to her, telling her that if she and Adam ate the fruit, they would ‘be as gods, knowing good and evil’ (Genesis 3:5). Eve gave in to the temptation and also persuaded Adam to eat. They were then, for the first time, aware of shame, and instead of being innocently naked, tried to make themselves clothes out of fig leaves. Their disobedience of God is known as theFall of Humankind and fractured the relationship between God and humans. Adam and Eve were then expelled from the garden and kept out by an angelwith a flaming sword. The serpent was cursed as an enemy of humankind.
Eve was tempted by a serpent, which is traditionally held to be the devil in the shape of a snake (see also Big ideas: Serpent, Devil, Satan, Beast). The serpent spoke to her, telling her that if she and Adam ate the fruit, they would ‘be as gods, knowing good and evil’ (Genesis 3:5). Eve gave in to the temptation and also persuaded Adam to eat. They were then, for the first time, aware of shame, and instead of being innocently naked, tried to make themselves clothes out of fig leaves. Their disobedience of God is known as theFall of Humankind and fractured the relationship between God and humans. Adam and Eve were then expelled from the garden and kept out by an angelwith a flaming sword. The serpent was cursed as an enemy of humankind.
(Excerpted from: http://www.crossref-it.info/articles/24/Garden-of-Eden,-Adam-and-Eve,-'Second-Adam')
5. Culture Shock: a sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation
(Definition from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture%20shock)
(Graphic from: http://www.uwsuper.edu/fye/parents/upload/W-Curve.pdf)
5. Culture Shock: a sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation
(Definition from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture%20shock)
(Graphic from: http://www.uwsuper.edu/fye/parents/upload/W-Curve.pdf)
I was planning on commenting on your powerpoint which was fabulous, to match your presentation, when I came across the vocab to know section that I felt was quite extensive. Thank you very much for not only giving the definition, but also providing examples on what motifs are and how deviation from the standard rhyme or meter creates meaning, and finally the cultural analysis.
ReplyDeleteWe discussed last trimester campbell’s monomyth and the cultural hero, and I think that this is very relevant, not only to your novel, but to all multicultural and non multicultural literature. My book was a standard piece of English literature and my author was able to create a cub culture of lies and deception, within the given English/war culture itself. I think often we forget that culture is not only the food and ethnic heritages that go into a society, but also the feelings and drives that push someones life towards purpose. I think the W curve is a perfect example of that, so thank you for bringing that up for me to look over for the AP exam!