Ekphrasis Definition and Examples in Rhetoric

Ekphrasis is a rhetorical and poetic figure of speech in which a visual object (often a work of art) is vividly described in words. Adjective: ecphrastic. Richard Lanham notes that ekphrasis (also spelled ecphrasis) was one of the exercises of the Progymnasmata, and could deal with persons, events, times, places, etc. (Handlist of Rhetorical Terms). One well-known example of ekphrasis in literature is John Keatss poem Ode on a Grecian Urn. Etymology: From the Greek, speak out or proclaim Examples and Observations Claire Preston: Ekphrasis, a species of vivid description, has no formal rules and no stable technical definition. Originally a device in oratory, its development as a poetic figure has somewhat confused its taxonomy, but broadly speaking it is one of a spectrum of figures and other devices falling under the rubric of enargeia (vividness). The term ekphrasis appears only belatedly in classical rhetorical theory. Discussing representation in his Rhetoric, Aristotle approves the enlivening of inanimate things with vivid description, the do[ing of] something to the life as a kind of imitation, in metaphors which set things before the eye. Quintilian regards vividness as a pragmatic virtue of forensic oratory: representation is more than mere perspicuity, since instead of being merely transparent it somehow shows itself off... in a way that it seems to be actually seen. A speech does not adequately fulfill its purpose... if it goes no further than the ears... without... being... displaye d to the minds eye. Richard Meek: Recent critics and theorists have defined ekphrasis as the verbal representation of visual representation. Yet Ruth Webb has noted that the term, despite its classical-sounding name, is essentially a modern coinage, and points out that it is only in recent years that ekphrasis has come to refer to the description of works of sculpture and visual art within literary works. In classical rhetoric, ekphrasis could refer to virtually any extended description... Christopher Rovee: [W]hile ekphrasis certainly involves a sense of interartistic rivalry, it need not fix writing in a position of authority. Indeed, ekphrasis can just as readily signal a writers anxiety in the face of a powerful artwork, provide an occasion for a writer to test the capacities of descriptive language, or represent a simple act of homage.Ekphrasis is a self-reflexive exercise in representation—art about art, a mimesis of a mimesis (Burwick 2001)—whose occurrence in Romantic poetry reflects a concern with the powers of writing vis-Ã  -vis visual art.

The Integrity and Strength of Mark Twains The Adventures...

The Integrity and Strength of Huckleberry Finn When one is young they must learn from their parents how to behave. A childs parents impose societys unspoken rules in hope that one day their child will inuitivly decerne wrong from right and make decisions based on their own judgment. These moral and ethical decisions will affect one for their entire life. In Mark Twains, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck is faced with the decision of choosing to regard all he has been taught to save a friend, or listen and obey the morals that he has been raised with. In making his decision he is able to look at the situation maturely and grow to understand the moral imbalances society has. Hucks decisions show his integrity and†¦show more content†¦He cares about Huck as if he was his own son, which shows their very personal relationship. They share experiences together and are able to have a good relationship that would never exist in society. On shore is where Huck receives all his education and it is there that he realizes the moral imbalances. Huck and Jim have grown so close, closeness they could of never achieved on shore in a ruling society. But when Jim is taken as a runaway slave Huck is faced between what he has been taught in his head, and what he feels in his heart. Huck has to choose between what society tells him is right and what his heart tells him is right but he finds it hard to believe what society tells him. He contemplates writing Miss. Watson a letter explaining to her the situation, but then realizes that friendship is more important. He is able to find this inside him because he has grown with a realistic vision that what society tells him to do is different from what they teach. In school he is taught about Moses saving the Jews that were in slavery. But yet is taught that slavery is okay for them to practice and that it would be a sin to help a slave. Huck feels this guiltiness of even thinking of saving Jim merely because of the things he has been taught and feels he has to use protective rationalization to rationalize him wanting to save Jim by saying I was brung up wicked, and so I wasnt much to blame (212). But when looked at clearly, Huck realizesShow MoreRelated Jim Essay2872 Words   |  12 PagesCicero Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered to be possibly the Great American Novel by many scholars and is certainly the best known of Mark Twain’s works. These scholars both powerfully praise and powerfully depreciate Twain’s artistic judgment in relation to Huck’s character, themes, and political statements, but Jim’s place is often ignored or overlooked. Jim’s character is very important in his roles in supporting Huck as a father figure, his example for Twain’s portrayalRead MoreHuck Is a Non-Conformist1467 Words   |  6 PagesSelf-Reliance vs. Huckleberry Finn In Ralph Waldo Emersons essay Self-Reliance, he defends the personality traits that every creative human being possesses and a persons intellectual independence, which enables him to surpass the achievements of previous generations. Emerson explains how most of society is made up of conformists, people that simply conform to a past technique created by earlier innovators. Against being a conformist, Emerson chooses to support being a creator, or a personRead MoreThe Crucible : Nature Vs Nurture Debate2002 Words   |  9 PagesIn The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne describes Hester Prynne as a strong and independent woman who, despite the circumstances, is a role model for her daughter, Pearl. In spite of having a drunkard for a father, Huck Finn, from Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is taught morals and manners by the other guardian figures in his life. Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, depicts a situation in which the absence of a strong parent figure, or the presence of a weak one, leads to childrenRead MoreLangston Hughes Research Paper25309 Words   |  102 Pagesbookish smell, the long, polished tables, and helpful librarians. Curiosity about the story inside a books attractive cover encouraged him to read at an early age. Langston loved to hold a book and examine the artists illustrations. Through adventures in books, he escaped his lonely, restricted life. Because the school for black children in Topeka was across town, Carrie enrolled Langston in first grade at the all-white Harrison Street School, which was within walking distance of their apartment

Historical Biography Canadian Pacific Railways

Question: Discuss about theHistorical Biographyfor Canadian Pacific Railways. Answer: Introduction William Van Horne was the president of Canadian pacific railways. He was considered as one of the most eminent personalities of the Whitney Syndicate that had created the Cuba Railroad Company in Trenton, New Jersey (Larsen, et al., 2013). According to Posner, (2015), William Van Horne was born in 1843 in the rural area of Illinois. Later he had moved to Joliet along with his family when he was eight years old. Van Horne was appointed as the general manager of Canadian pacific railway on 1st Jan 1882. He performed his duties quite efficiently by providing the company with his excellent management skills in order to improve the organization of construction on the prairie section. William Van Horne was not only successful in finishing the railway project but he did so 5 years ahead of schedule.He was elected as the president later. William Van Horne was efficient, skilful, delegate, diligent along with his extensive managerial qualities. He was able to reframe the Canadian pacific railway improvising their constructions and framing the successful framework of the company. Van Horne was well known for his qualities, which helped him being the first mayor of Joliet, and when the city had built a new bridge, it was named after him as the Van Horne Bridge. Bio poem is a biography written on a famous personality or imaginative personality in a poem format (Brown, 2014). The Bio Poem of William Van Horne could be represented as follows : William Born in 1843 in the rural area of Illinois Came to Canada to join the Canadian pacific railway and help in its major construction Hard working, efficient and delegate President of Canadian Pacific Railway Created the Cuba Railroad Company in 1900 and died in 11th September 1915. Struggled with misfortunes when his house had caught fire and his wife had died. Benefitted from being an employee in the Canadian Pacific Railway by being promoted for his work. to bust the damn thing when the national policy were threatened by reciprocity. Van Horne Figure : William Van Horne Figure : William Van Horne Reference Larsen, W., Knowles, V., Lahey, D. T., Butts, E., Leavey, P. D. (2013).Quest Biographies BundleBooks 2630: William C. Van Horne/George Simpson/Tom Thomson/Simon Girty/Mary Pickford(Vol. 41). Dundurn. Posner, M. (2015). Katherine Hughes: A Singular Journey.Queen's Quarterly,122(1), 26-40. Brown, S. (2014). Personal Cultural Identity and Literature.

Doll House Essay Feminism Example For Students

Doll House Essay Feminism The play, A Doll’s House 1879 by Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906), depicts the different times in the ending decade of the 19th century. Today we still see similar situations and conflicts in our society. In the following essay I plan to reflect on the conflicts and situations in society in its comparison the play A Dolls House. To begin with, lack of communication is an ongoing p roblem in many marriages today. Communication is a key element for the success in a marriage. As seen, in the play, Nora admits to not having a serious conversation with her husband. â€Å"We’ve been married for eight years. Does it occur to you that this is the first time that we two, you and I, man and wife, have ever had a serious talk together† (p.1343)? Second, women leaving men in order to find themselves is more common today than it was in the early 19th century. As you can see it was occurring then but it wasn’t as common. A prime example is when Nora tells Helmer she wants to leave him, â€Å"I must stand on my own feet if I am to find out the truth about myself and about life. So I can’t go on living here with you any longer â€Å"(p. 1344).Last of all, the economic situations and conflicts were almost the same if not the same as today. Throughout the years economic situations and conflicts change very seldom. In the play Helmer expresses his feelings towards his economic situation. â€Å"Yes, it’s a wonderful thing to know that one’s position is assured and that one has an ample income. Don’t you agree? It’s good to know that, isn’t it?†(p.1300)? As you can see Helmer is content with economic situation and it seems as is that was something that had been bothering him. Bibliography: