1. Text Analysis and History Session Four: Imagery

2. Agenda  The prose fiction module  An introduction to imagery, symbol and related concepts in an historical context  Group work: imagery and symbolism in ”A White Heron”  Group presentations and general discussion

3. The prose fiction module  Motif and theme  Story and plot, character and characterisation  Point of view  Imagery  General summary: Toni Morrison, ”Recitatif”  Evaluation: Essay assignment (for the portfolio)

4. Imagery, symbol and related concepts in the context of history: Imagery 1.Broadest def.: All the objects and qualities of sense perception 1.Literal descriptions 2.Allusions 3.The vehicles of similes and metaphors 1.= motif 2. Broad def.: Specific descriptions of visible objects and scenes 2. = motif 3. Narrow def.: Figurative language – the vehicles of metaphors and similes (= 1.3)

5. An Example: Imagery – broad senses  ”Charlie Stove waited until he heard his mother snore before he got out of bed. Even then he moved with caution and tiptoed to the window. The front of the house was irregular, so that it was possible to see a light burning in his mother’s room. But now all the windows were dark. A search-light passed across the sky, lighting the banks of cloud and probing the dark deep spaces between, seeking enemy airships. The wind blew from the sea, and Charlie Stowe could hear behind his mother’s snores the beating of the waves. A draught through the crack in the window- frame stirred his night-shirt. Charlie Stowe was frightened.” (Graham Greene, ”I Spy”, p. 534)

6. Imagery, symbol and … (cont.): narrow senses, simile and metaphor  Simile – a statement of similarity: like  Metaphor – a statement of identity  The tenor – the subject  The vehicle – the metaphorical term itself  My love is like a red, red rose (Robert Burns)

7. Imagery, symbol and … (cont.): simile and metaphor  He smiled like an open piano (Graham Greene)

8. Imagery, symbol and … (cont.): simile and metaphor  There’s a lipstick sunset smeared across the August sky (John Hiatt)

9. Imagery, symbol and … (cont.): simile and metaphor  Let us go, then, you and I when the evening is spread out against the sky like a patient etherised upon a table (T.S. Eliot, ”The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”)

10. An Example: simile  When the door had closed Charlie Stowe tiptoed upstairs and got into bed. He wondered why his father had left the house again so late at night and who the strangers were. Surprise and awe kept him for a little while awake. It was as if a familiar photograph had stepped from the frame to reproach him with neglect. He remembered how his father had held tight to his collar and fortified himself with proverbs, and he thought for the first time that, while his mother was boisterous and kindly, his father was very like himself, doing things in the dark which frightened him.” (Graham Green, ”I Spy”, p. 537)

11. William Blake, ”The Sick Rose” (1794): literal or metaphorical rose?  O Rose, thou art sick. The invisible worm, That flies in the night In the howling storm:  Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy: And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy.

12. William Blake, ”The Sick Rose” (1794)

13. Imagery, symbol and … (cont.): symbol  Public symbols (cultural specific signification and value)  Private symbols (writer specific signification and value, ie used consistently by a particular writer)

14. Imagery, symbol and … (cont.): symbol

18. James Joyce, ”The Dead”  He stood still in the gloom of the hall, trying to catch the air that the voice was singing and gazing up at his wife. There was grace and mystery in her attitude as if she were a symbol of something. He asked himself what is a woman standing on the stairs in the shadow, listening to distant music, a symbol of. If he were a painter, he would paint her in that attitude. Her blue felt hat would show off the bronze of her hair against the darkness and the dark panels of her skirt would show off the light ones. (p. 2192)

19. Private symbolism W.B. Yeats, ”The Second Coming” (1920)  Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand. The Second Coming!  […]

20. T.S. Eliot, ”The Hippopotamus” (1917)  1The broad-backed hippopotamus 2 Rests on his belly in the mud; 3 Although he seems so firm to us 4 He is merely flesh and blood. 1  5 Flesh-and-blood is weak and frail, 6 Susceptible to nervous shock; 7 While the True Church can never fail 8 For it is based upon a rock. 8 

21. T.S. Eliot, ”The Hippopotamus” (1917)  9 The hippo's feeble steps may err 10 In compassing material ends, 11 While the True Church need never stir 12 To gather in its dividends.  13 The 'potamus can never reach 14 The mango on the mango-tree; 15 But fruits of pomegranate and peach 16 Refresh the Church from over sea. 

22. T.S. Eliot, ”The Hippopotamus” (1917)  17 At mating time the hippo's voice 18 Betrays inflexions hoarse and odd, 19 But every week we hear rejoice 20 The Church, at being one with God.  21 The hippopotamus's day 22 Is passed in sleep; at night he hunts; 23 God works in a mysterious way -- 24 The Church can sleep and feed at once. 23

23. T.S. Eliot, ”The Hippopotamus” (1917)  25 I saw the 'potamus take wing 26 Ascending from the damp savannas, 27 And quiring angels round him sing 28 The praise of God, in loud hosannas.  29 Blood of the Lamb shall wash him clean 30 And him shall heavenly arms enfold, 31 Among the saints he shall be seen 32 Performing on a harp of gold.  33 He shall be washed as white as snow, 34 By all the martyr'd virgins kist, 35 While the True Church remains below 36 Wrapt in the old miasmal mist.

24. Group work: imagery and symbolism in ”A White Heron”  What does the white heron signify and symbolise? Find examples.  What is the thematic function of the white heron. What thematic hypotheses does it allow us to make?  Identify other images and symbols in ”The White Heron”  How do they help to produce the theme(s)?