Literature notes-S3-Chap VIII

CLASS: SENIOR THREE

COURSE CONTENTS

UNIT I: REVIEW OF KEY ASPECTS OF PROSE
UNIT II: PLOT DEVELOPMENT
UNIT III: TONE, ATMOSPHERE AND PURPOSE
UNIT IV: TYPES OF POETRY AND POEMS
UNIT V: POETIC DEVICES
UNIT VI: CONTEXT AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT
UNIT VII: CHARACTER, SUBJECT MATTER AND THEMES
UNIT VIII: STYLE, MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE.
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UNIT VIII: STYLE, MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE

VIII.1. STYLE IN A PLAY

Style refers to the manner in which a writer chooses his words, tone and the structure of his sentences in a story or play to enhance meaning and understanding. It may also be called techniques or devices that the writer uses.

Those dramatic devices may include:

a.  Monologue

It is a long speech by one character/actor in a play to the audience. This speech is intended to be heard by other characters. The audience might be audience within a play [or those who are watching a play]. Monologue can be heard by other characters on stage and they can respond.

b.  Dialogue

In drama, dialogue refers to a conversation between two characters or more characters/actors.

Therefore, dialogue:
– makes a play enjoyable and lively.
-reveals the characters to the audience through their words, actions and thoughts.
-creates the tone of the play.
-presents the exposition or cause of conflict.

c.  Soliloquy

This is long speech by one character in a play to himself or herself in order to reveal to the audience his/her thoughts and innermost secrets.

d. Stage directions

They are instructions in the text of a play, indicating the movement, position or tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting.

e. Body language (gestures & facial expressions)

Body language refers to use of the body to communicate how characters feel. It includes the use of gestures, postures and facial expressions. They help a person to manifest various physical, mental or emotional states. This way he/she communicates non-verbally with others.

Ex: – Smiling
       –Frowning
–Throwing hands in the air.
-Nodding a head.
-Clothing, …

In theatre and drama, body language is used to convey the mood and emotion with subtlety.

f.  Aside

It is a short comment or speech from a character that is spoken directly to the audience. It is only meant for the audience. It reveals inner thoughts. Asides are shorter than soliloquies, usually one or two lines.

• An aside gives special information to the audience about the plot and other characters on stage.
• It gives better understanding to the audience about the essence of the matter.
• Asides also give enjoyable experience to the audience as an actor talks to them directly, drawing them closer to his/her actions and thoughts.
• The similarities between an aside and soliloquy is that a single character speaks directly to himself or audience and to no other character can hear the speech.
• The difference between them is that an aside is shorter while a soliloquy is a longer speech. An aside reveals hidden secrets or judgments whereas the soliloquy reveals motives, inner thoughts or internal struggles going on in the mind of the character.

g.  Dramatic irony

Dramatic irony is a situation where the audience knows something the characters do not know. It is used to create suspense.

h.  Symbolism

It is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Symbolism involves the use of something to stand for/represent something else.

Ex: The dove is a symbol of peace
The cross symbolizes Christianity
A ring on a finger can mean marriage
A red rose stands for love/romance.

VIII.2. ATMOSPHERE/MOOD

The mood is the feeling the audience gets as they read, listen or watch a play. In drama, mood is enhanced through the use of stage directions, dialogues and monologue, dramatic irony, symbolism, images and body language… as well as the choice of words, use of punctuation and tone of the voice.

Ex: In a funeral setting, the music can be soft and sad to capture the mournful feeling.

The following words can be used to describe the mood:

Joyful, excited, appreciative, friendly, humorous, sad, mournful, gloomy and depressing among many others.  See also Senior One Notes and Senior Two Notes.

       REFERENCES

REB BOOKS:

-Achievers Literature in English for Rwandan Schools -Senior 1
– An Introduction to Literature in English for Rwandan Schools -Senior 1
-Achievers Literature in English for Rwandan Schools -Senior 2
– Literature in English for Rwandan Schools -Senior 3

INTERNET: (Various websites)