Epistrophe in Literature

Epistrophe in Literature: Introduction

Epistrophe in literature, a captivating rhetorical device deeply embedded in literary traditions, enriches prose and poetry alike with its rhythmic finesse. Characterized by the intentional repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses, epistrophe bestows upon language a harmonious cadence and impactful resonance. This deliberate repetition, skillfully employed by writers, not only enhances the structural symmetry of a piece but also serves as a powerful tool for emphasis, leaving an enduring imprint on the reader’s perception. Whether gracing historical speeches or infusing poetic verses with lyrical charm, epistrophe manifests as a versatile and potent linguistic device, inviting readers to partake in the artistry of language through its subtle yet profound echoes.

Epistrophe in Literature: Examples

1. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech:
   • “…free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
2. Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”:
   • “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…”
3. Winston Churchill’s speech during World War II:
   • “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…”
4. William Shakespeare’s “Richard III”:
   • “So we, by you o’erthrown, take up ourselves, ‘Tis long of you that spur me with such questions.”
5. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:
   • “…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
6. Emily Dickinson’s poem “Success is Counted Sweetest”:
   • “Success is counted sweetest By those who ne’er succeed.”
7. John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address:
   • “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
8. Mark Antony’s speech in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”:
   • “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man.”
9. Langston Hughes’ poem “I, Too”:
   • “I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother.”
10. John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”:
    • “The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a heav’n of hell, a hell of heav’n.”

Epistrophe in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Epistrophe
Formalism	Emphasizes the structured use of language; epistrophe enhances textual symmetry.
Structuralism	Can be analyzed as a recurring linguistic structure contributing to meaning.
New Criticism	Focuses on the intrinsic qualities of the text; epistrophe aids in close reading.
Reader-Response Theory	Invokes reader engagement through rhythmic patterns and memorable repetition.
Postcolonialism	Can be employed to reinforce cultural identity and resist linguistic dominance.
Feminist Criticism	May reveal gendered perspectives through repeated themes or phrases.
Postmodernism	Utilizes repetition to play with language conventions and subvert expectations.
Deconstruction	The repetition in epistrophe can be deconstructed to explore linguistic instability.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Repetition may uncover psychological patterns or themes within a character’s psyche.
Cultural Studies	Can serve as a vehicle for cultural expression and resistance within texts.

This table provides a brief overview of how epistrophe aligns with various literary theories, showcasing its adaptability and significance across different critical frameworks.

Epistrophe in Literature: Relevant Terms

1. Rhetorical Device:
   • Repetition at the end of clauses for emphasis.
2. Parallelism:
   • Balanced repetition of grammatical structures.
3. Anaphora:
   • Repetition at the beginning of clauses.
4. Chiasmus:
   • Reverse order repetition for effect.
5. Antistrophe:
   • Repetition at the end of clauses.
6. Polysyndeton:
   • Multiple conjunctions for rhythm.
7. Asyndeton:
   • Omission of conjunctions for pace.
8. Diction:
   • Author’s word choice, including repeated terms.
9. Cadence:
   • Rhythmic flow enhanced by repetition.
10. Meter:
    • Rhythmic structure in poetry, influenced by repetition.

Epistrophe in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Eliot, T.S. The Waste Land. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1922.
2. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Alfred A. Knopf, 1987.
3. Whitman, Walt. Leaves of Grass. David McKay, 1855.
4. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Harold Jenkins, Arden Shakespeare, 1982.
5. Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Random House, 1969.
6. Faulkner, William. As I Lay Dying. Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, 1930.
7. Woolf, Virginia. To the Lighthouse. Hogarth Press, 1927.
8. Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1952.
9. Dickinson, Emily. The Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson. Edited by Thomas H. Johnson, Faber and Faber, 1951.
10. Orwell, George. 1984. Secker & Warburg, 1949.
11. Booth, Wayne C. Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1961.

Read more on Literary Devices below:

• Halo Effect: A Rhetorical Device
• Halo Effect in Literature
• Inferential Leap: A Rhetorical Device
• Inferential Leap in Literature
• Informal Logic: A Rhetorical Device
• Informal Logic in Literature