This website is dedicated to English Literature, Literary Criticism, Literary Theory, English Language and its teaching and learning.
Tricolon as Literary Device
A tricolon, stemming from Greek roots meaning “three” and “member,” is a rhetorical device employing a series of three parallel elements, typically words, phrases, or clauses.
Tricolon: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings
The term “tricolon” derives from the Greek words “tri” (meaning “three”) and “colon” (meaning “member” or “clause”). In its most literal sense, it refers to a rhetorical device consisting of three parallel elements of equal length and grammatical structure. This structural parallelism creates a sense of rhythm and balance, enhancing the impact and memorability of the statement. Conceptually, the tricolon signifies a powerful threefold expression of an idea, often used to emphasize its importance or create a sense of completeness. The repetition and symmetry inherent in the tricolon make it a versatile tool for persuasion and aesthetic appeal in various forms of communication, including oratory, literature, and advertising.
Category
Meaning
Literal
A rhetorical device comprising three parallel elements of equal length and grammatical structure.
Conceptual
A threefold expression of an idea, emphasizing its significance and creating a sense of completeness through repetition and symmetry.
A tricolon, stemming from Greek roots meaning “three” and “member,” is a rhetorical device employing a series of three parallel elements, typically words, phrases, or clauses. These elements share a similar structure, length, and/or rhythm, creating a sense of balance and emphasis. Found in both prose and poetry, the tricolon’s effectiveness lies in its ability to enhance memorability, add emphasis, and create a satisfying sense of closure.
Tricolon: Types of Tricolon and Examples
Type of Tricolon
Example
Explanation
Ascending Tricolon
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
This tricolon increases in importance and length, adding weight to the final item, making it more impactful.
Descending Tricolon
“I will search, I will find, I will win.”
This tricolon decreases in intensity or length, often creating a more definitive or conclusive tone.
Symmetrical Tricolon
“Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Each element in the tricolon is of equal length and importance, creating a balanced and rhythmic structure.
Anaphoric Tricolon
“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields.”
The repetition of the initial phrase “we shall fight” at the beginning of each clause emphasizes the determination and resolve.
Antithetical Tricolon
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Each clause presents a contrasting idea, building on the previous one to highlight differences and progress.
Tricolon: Examples in Everyday Life
“Stop, drop, and roll” This fire safety instruction is a tricolon that provides clear, concise, and memorable steps to take in case of a fire emergency. The repetition and rhythm of the phrase make it easy to recall under pressure.
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” This environmental slogan uses a tricolon to advocate for sustainable practices. The parallel structure emphasizes the equal importance of each action and creates a sense of unity in the fight against waste.
“Location, location, location” This real estate adage highlights the significance of location in determining property value. The repetition of the word “location” emphasizes its crucial role in real estate decisions.
“Mind, body, spirit” This phrase refers to the interconnected aspects of human well-being. The tricolon structure reinforces the idea that these three dimensions are equally important for a balanced and fulfilling life.
“Blood, sweat, and tears” This idiom signifies hard work and dedication. The tricolon uses vivid imagery to convey the intensity and sacrifice involved in achieving a goal.
Tricolon in Literature: Examples
Source
Example
Explanation
The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
“Her voice is full of money,” he said suddenly. That was it. I’d never understood before. It was full of money—that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals’ song of it…
The repetition of “full of money” in varying forms emphasizes Daisy’s wealth and its intoxicating effect on those around her.
A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…”
This iconic opening line highlights the stark contrasts and contradictions of the French Revolution era.
The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien)
“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”
This poetic tricolon, spoken by Gandalf, conveys a deeper message about the hidden value and resilience found in unexpected places.
The Raven (Edgar Allan Poe)
“And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain”
This alliterative tricolon creates a haunting atmosphere and emphasizes the narrator’s growing unease.
I Have a Dream (Martin Luther King Jr.)
“Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, we are free at last.”
The repetition of “free at last” amplifies the emotional impact and the feeling of liberation that King advocates for.
Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
This humorous tricolon sets the satirical tone of the novel and introduces the theme of marriage and social expectations.
The Odyssey (Homer)
“Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years on end.”
This invocation to the Muse establishes the epic scope of the story and highlights Odysseus’ multifaceted character as a cunning and resilient hero.
The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.”
This defiant Latin phrase, meaning “Don’t let the bastards grind you down,” serves as a symbol of resistance and hope in a dystopian world.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
“To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman.”
This tricolon emphasizes the unique and significant role Irene Adler plays in Holmes’s life and deductions.
The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway)
“He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish.”
This opening sentence establishes the solitary nature of the old man’s struggle and the setting for his epic battle with a marlin.
Tricolon in Literature: Shakespearean Examples
Source
Example
Explanation
Julius Caesar
“Veni, vidi, vici.” (I came, I saw, I conquered.)
This succinct ascending tricolon reflects Caesar’s swift, decisive victory through the escalating verbs.
Richard III
“Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun of York.”
This tricolon utilizes weather metaphors to emphasize thedramatic shift brought about by the new king, transitioning from discontent to glorious summer.
Hamlet
“To be, or not to be, that is the question.”
This existential tricolon introduces Hamlet’s contemplation of life and death, with the parallel structure emphasizing the weight of his internal conflict.
The Merchant of Venice
“All that glisters is not gold.”
A simple yet impactful tricolon, this proverb-like expression warns against superficial judgments based on appearances.
Twelfth Night
“If music be the food of love, play on.”
This lyrical tricolon establishes the connection between music and love, using the repetition to amplify the emotional impact of the phrase.
Macbeth
“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
This incantation-like tricolon creates a rhythmic, chant-like effect that heightens the supernatural atmosphere of the scene.
As You Like It
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
This metaphorical tricolon compares life to a theatrical performance, emphasizing the roles people play and the transient nature of existence.
Tricolon in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories
Formalism: Formalists examine tricolons as a structural element, focusing on how the repetition and rhythm create a sense of balance and emphasis within a text. They analyze how the tricolon’s form contributes to the overall aesthetic effect and meaning of the work.
Reader-Response Criticism: Reader-response critics explore how tricolons impact the reader’s experience. The rhythmic pattern and repetition can create a memorable and engaging reading experience, influencing the reader’s emotional response and interpretation of the text.
Structuralism: Structuralists view tricolons as a linguistic device that creates a sense of order and coherence within a narrative. They analyze how the tricolon’s structure relates to the overall structure of the work, contributing to the development of themes and motifs.
Rhetorical Criticism: Rhetorical critics examine tricolons as a persuasive tool used by authors to amplify their message and create a lasting impact on the audience. The repetition and rhythm of a tricolon can make a phrase or idea more memorable and persuasive, enhancing the overall rhetorical effectiveness of a text.
A reversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses (e.g., “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”).
While not directly related to tricolons, chiasmus can be used in conjunction with a tricolon to create a more complex rhetorical structure.
