DEVICES OF SOUND

• This is the technique of deploying the sounds of words, especially in poetry. The devices are used to create a general effect of pleasant or discordant sound, to imitate another sound, or reflect meaning.

ALLITERATION• It is a stylistic device in which a number of

words, having the same first consonant sound, occur close together in a series.

• Example: From Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”

“The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, The furrow followed free; We were the first that ever burst Into that silent sea.”

FUNCTION OF ALLITERATION

• It has a very vital role in poetry and  prose. It creates a musical effect in the text that enhances the pleasure of reading a literary piece. It makes reading and recitation of the poems attractive and appealing; thus, making them easier to learn by heart. Furthermore, it renders flow and beauty to a piece of writing.

ASSONANCE• Assonance takes place when two or more words close to

one another repeat the same vowel sound but start with different consonant sounds.

• The vowel sound does not necessarily have to be in any certain position in the word

• Example: Bells by Edgar Allan Poe:

Hear the mellow wedding bells,

Golden bells!

What a world of happiness their harmony foretells!

FUNCTION OF ASSONANCE• Writers use it as a tool to enhance a musical

effect in the text by using it for creating internal rhyme, which consequently enhances the pleasure of reading a literary piece.

• In addition, it helps writers to develop a particular mood in the text that corresponds with its subject matter.

CONSONANCE• Consonance refers to repetitive sounds produced by consonants within

a sentence or phrase. This repetition often takes place in quick succession, and is not always at the beginning of a word like alliteration.

•     Example: Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

    And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,

    And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

           Shall be lifted—nevermore!

FUNCTIONS OF CONSONANCE

• The use of consonance provides the structure of poetry with a rhyming effect. The writer normally employs the tool of consonance for the purpose of reiterating the significance of an idea or theme.

• Further, the use of the device makes the structure of poetry or prose appealing for the reader. The poet generally makes use of consonance in an attempt to underscore the emotions behind their words that simple words cannot convey.

• Furthermore, the use of consonance adds a lyrical feeling to the poetry that otherwise cannot be added.

• The significance of the use of consonance in poetry is enhanced by the fact that it is often used to make the imagery employed clearer. It acts as a tool that enables the poet to formulate a fine and powerful structure for his poetry and create a background for the themes underlying the poetry.

CACOPHONY• A mixture of harsh and inharmonious sounds. In literature, however, the

term refers to the use of words with sharp, harsh, hissing and unmelodious sounds primarily those of consonants to achieve desired results.

• Example: A Forsaken Garden By Algernon Charles Swindburne

The dense hard passage is blind and stifled

       That crawls by a track none turn to climb

To the strait waste place that the years have rifled

        Of all but the thorns that are touched not of time.

The thorns he spares when the rose is taken;

       The rocks are left when he wastes the plain.

The wind that wanders, the weeds wind-shaken,

                These remain.

FUNCTION OF CACOPHONY

• The use of harsh, or unpleasant combination of sounds or tones allows readers to picture and feel the unpleasantness of the situation the writer has described through words.

EUPHONY•  It can be defined as the use of words and phrases that are distinguished

as having a wide range of noteworthy melody or loveliness in the sounds they create. It gives pleasing and soothing effects to the ears due to repeated vowels and smooth consonants. It can be used with other literary devices like alliteration, assonance, and rhyme to create more melodic effects.

• Example: “She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night

    Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that’s best of dark and bright

    Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

    Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

FUNCTIONS OF EUPHONY

• The purpose of using euphony is to bring about peaceful and pleasant feelings in a piece of literary work. The readers enjoy reading such pieces of literature or poems.

• The long vowels create more melodious effects than short vowels and consonants, making the sounds harmonious and soothing. The pronunciation and enunciation become agreeable and easy.

• Furthermore, euphony is used in poetry and speeches to convey messages effectively to the audience and the readers.

JABBERWOCKY BY LEWIS CARROLL

1. What is going on in the poem?

2. Did you understand/know the meaning of all the words? Did you need to?

3. Find and example of:• Alliteration• Assonance• Consonance• Cacophony

4. What was the purpose of the sound devices used in this poem?