Epanalepsis in Literature

Epanalepsis in Literature: Introduction

Epanalepsis in literature, a rhetorical device grounded in the deliberate repetition of words or phrases at the beginning and end of a clause or sentence, holds profound significance. Its strategic deployment contributes to the rhythmic cadence of language, elevates the impact of themes, and fosters memorability of the readers. This intentional repetition, often purposeful and calculated, serves as a linguistic anchor, emphasizing key concepts and lending an aesthetic symmetry to the narrative.

In literature, epanalepsis transcends mere stylistic embellishments; it becomes a potent tool for authors to underscore, reinforce, and etch their narrative or poetic expressions into the consciousness of their audience, creating a lasting resonance that extends beyond the confines of the written word.

Epanalepsis in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

1. “Time, which sees all things, has found you out.”
   • (Sonnet 106) – Shakespeare employs epanalepsis with the repetition of “time,” emphasizing its all-encompassing nature.
2. “The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.”
   • (Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2) – Here, Shakespeare uses epanalepsis with “the play’s the thing,” emphasizing the significance of the theatrical performance in revealing truth.
3. “Sweet roses do not so, nor lilies, nor so much as is the autumnal violet.”
   • (Cymbeline, Act 4, Scene 2) – Epanalepsis is employed with “nor” to emphasize the absence of comparison, highlighting the uniqueness of the autumnal violet.
4. “But thy eternal summer shall not fade, nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st.”
   • (Sonnet 18) – The repetition of “nor” in this sonnet emphasizes the enduring nature of the subject’s beauty.
5. “The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief; he robs himself that spends a bootless grief.”
   • (Othello, Act 1, Scene 3) – Epanalepsis is used with “he robs himself,” reinforcing the idea that the one who smiles in the face of adversity gains an inner strength.
6. “Death lies on her like an untimely frost; upon the sweetest flower of all the field.”
   • (Romeo and Juliet, Act 4, Scene 5) – Shakespeare repeats “upon” to draw attention to the impact of death on Juliet, likening it to an untimely frost.
7. “The better part of Valour, is Discretion; in the which better part, I have saved my life.”
   • (Henry IV, Part 1, Act 5, Scene 4) – Epanalepsis is employed with “the better part” to underscore the importance of discretion in saving one’s life.
8. “Who steals my purse steals trash; ’tis something, nothing; ’twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands.”
   • (Othello, Act 3, Scene 3) – The repetition of “’tis” underscores the transient nature of material possessions and the emotional detachment from theft.

Epanalepsis in Literature: Examples

Author, Title, and Type	Epanalepsis Example	Explanation
Dylan Thomas, “Do not go gentle into that good night” (Poem)	“Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”	Dylan Thomas uses epanalepsis to intensify the emotional plea against passively succumbing to old age and death, emphasizing the call to resist with fervor.
Hunter S. Thompson, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (Short Story)	“I remember saying something like ‘I feel a bit lightheaded; maybe you should drive…'”	Hunter S. Thompson employs epanalepsis with “I remember” to create a fragmented and disorienting narrative tone, reflecting the effects of drug-induced experiences and emphasizing the narrator’s attempt to find clarity amid chaos.
T.S. Eliot, “The Hollow Men” (Poem)	“Not with a bang but a whimper.”	T.S. Eliot uses epanalepsis in the concluding lines to underscore the quiet and unremarkable nature of the world’s end, emphasizing the poem’s theme of disillusionment and the insignificance of human existence.
Ray Bradbury, “The Pedestrian” (Short Story)	“The wind howled through the night, a baby’s cry in the distance blending with the echo of footsteps…”	Ray Bradbury employs epanalepsis with “the wind” to evoke desolation and continuity, enhancing the atmospheric description and creating a haunting

Epanalepsis in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Epanalepsis
Structuralism	Epanalepsis can be analyzed as a linguistic structure, contributing to the overall symmetry and patterning within a text. It may be seen as part of the larger structural elements that shape the narrative or poetic form.
Reader-Response Theory	Epanalepsis engages the reader by creating a rhythmic and memorable quality. Readers respond to the intentional repetition as it influences the pacing, emphasis, and overall aesthetic experience, shaping their interpretation of the text.
Feminist Criticism	Epanalepsis, when present in works by or about women, can be examined through a feminist lens to explore how repetition reinforces or challenges gender roles and expectations. The choice of repeated words may carry gender-specific connotations.
Postcolonial Criticism	In postcolonial literature, epanalepsis may serve to emphasize cultural identity, resistance, or the cyclical nature of historical narratives. It can be scrutinized for its role in expressing power dynamics, reclaiming language, or challenging colonial discourse.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Epanalepsis may be analyzed as a linguistic manifestation of psychological processes. Repetition can reflect themes related to memory, trauma, or the unconscious mind. Its presence might be explored in relation to characters’ psychological states or conflicts.
Marxist Criticism	Epanalepsis, as a rhetorical device, can be examined for its role in reinforcing or subverting power structures. Repetition may underscore societal inequalities, highlight class distinctions, or emphasize recurring themes related to economic or social systems.
Deconstructionism	Epanalepsis can be deconstructed to reveal tensions and contradictions within the text. The repetition of words may signify instability or challenge fixed meanings, inviting a closer examination of linguistic play and the complexities of interpretation.
Postmodernism	Epanalepsis aligns with postmodern tendencies to play with language and disrupt traditional forms. It can be viewed as a self-conscious stylistic choice, emphasizing the constructed nature of language and the interplay between form and meaning.

Epanalepsis in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
1. Anaphora	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses for emphasis.
2. Epistrophe	Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses for rhetorical effect.
3. Antanaclasis	Repetition of a word in a different sense within the same sentence or phrase.
4. Polyptoton	Repetition of words derived from the same root but with different grammatical forms.
5. Epizeuxis	Immediate repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis.
6. Chiasmus	Reversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses.
7. Alliteration	Repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in nearby words.
8. Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.
9. Consonance	Repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words.
10. Parallelism	Repetition of grammatical structures for balance and rhythm.

Epanalepsis in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Aristotle. Poetics. Translated by Malcolm Heath, Penguin Classics, 1996.
2. Barthes, Roland. S/Z. Translated by Richard Miller, Hill and Wang, 1974.
3. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.
4. Hemingway, Ernest. A Farewell to Arms. Scribner, 1929.
5. King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Scribner, 2000.
6. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Knopf, 1987.
7. Orwell, George. 1984. Secker and Warburg, 1949.
8. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003.
9. Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. Viking Press, 1939.
10. Tolkien, J.R.R. The Fellowship of the Ring. Houghton Mifflin, 1954.
11. Woolf, Virginia. To the Lighthouse. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1927.
12. Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.