LITERARY DEVICE Meaning and
Definition
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A literary device refers to any technique or tool employed by an author or poet to enhance the meaning, convey the message, or evoke certain emotions in a work of literature. These devices are skillfully integrated into the text to create a desired effect on the reader, stimulate their imagination, or provoke deeper contemplation.
Literary devices may take various forms and serve different purposes. For instance, figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, are frequently used to add vividness and depth to descriptions, enabling readers to visualize abstract concepts or unfamiliar situations more easily. Symbolism, another common device, uses specific objects or actions to represent abstract ideas, giving readers a chance to infer a deeper meaning beyond the literal interpretation.
Furthermore, literary devices can include sound-based techniques, such as alliteration or onomatopoeia, which employ repetition or mimicry of sounds to create rhythmic effects or convey certain tones. Similarly, irony, a popular device, involves a contrast between what is expected or stated and what actually occurs, often used to create tension or emphasize the theme.
Other literary devices may include personification (attributing human qualities to non-human entities), imagery (vivid sensory description), hyperbole (exaggeration for emphasis), and foreshadowing (hinting at future events). These devices, among others, enable writers to captivate readers, convey complex ideas, or evoke specific emotions through their creative and intentional use of language.
In essence, a literary device is a versatile toolset available to authors and poets, allowing them to craft their works with precision, artistry, and resonance, ultimately enriching the reader's experience.
Etymology of LITERARY DEVICE
The word "literary" is derived from the Latin term "litterarius", which means "pertaining to letters or learning". It originated from the Latin word "littera", meaning "letter" or "writing".
The word "device" comes from the Old French term "devis", meaning "division or argument", which further traces back to the Latin word "divisus", meaning "divided" or "separated".
Therefore, the term "literary device" combines the Latin roots "litterarius" and "divisus" to refer to the various techniques, structures, and elements that writers employ to enhance or convey their ideas and message in a literary work.
