English Grammar and Vocabulary Essentials
Mastering English Grammar and Vocabulary
Inversion in English
Inversion is a literary technique in which the normal order of words is reversed, typically for emphasis or stylistic effect. Here are some examples:
- Hardly had I got into bed when the telephone rang.
- Never had she seen such a beautiful sight before.
- Seldom do we see such / Seldom have I seen…
- Rarely will you hear such beautiful music.
- Only then did I understand why the tragedy had happened.
- Not only does he love chocolate and sweets, but he
New Criticism and Roman Rhetorical-Poetic Tradition
New Criticism
Under this name, taken from the work of John Ransom entitled The New Criticism (1941), refers to a current that occurred in the United States starting in the 1930s.
The New Criticism shows greater methodological dispersion, due in large part to the heterogeneity of its members. Their contribution is convergent with Russian formalism and stylistics in the dual commitment to propose a renewal of traditional literary studies and to do so in the sense of an immanent poetics. That is, the
Read MoreDon Quixote: Characters, Style, Themes, and Influence on Modern Novels
Don Quixote: Characters
The duo formed by the nobleman Don Quixote and his squire, Sancho Panza, form the backbone of the plot.
Don Quixote
- A gentleman who has lost his sanity from reading too many books.
- Embodies the ideal and fantastic world of chivalry.
- Driven by two ideals: restoring justice in the world and his love for his lady.
- Seeks fantastic solutions to any situation, inspired by the books he has read.
Sancho Panza
- A tough farmer.
- Represents everyday reality.
- Only trusts what he sees and is concerned
Spanish Literature: Machado, Unamuno, and Lorca
Antonio Machado: Life and Poetic Style
Antonio Machado was born into a family of progressive intellectuals and educated at the *Institución Libre de Enseñanza*. He spent his youth working as a translator in Paris, where he attended lectures by the philosopher Henri Bergson at the Sorbonne. True to his Republican ideology, at the end of the Civil War, he was forced into exile in France, where he died.
Machado’s Work and Style
Machado’s poetry, which defended the word as intensely lyrical, eventually
Read MoreChildren’s Literature: Functions, Characteristics, and Critical Perspectives
Functions of Children’s Literature
Children’s literature serves multiple functions, including:
- Teaching and Knowledge Acquisition: It helps children learn new things and expand their understanding of the world.
- Moralizing: It instills certain moral values, helping children distinguish between good and evil.
- Entertainment: It provides enjoyment and pleasure, which is crucial for engaging young readers.
Ideally, these functions work together. If the entertainment aspect is strong, the other functions are
Read MoreCatalan Language Standardization: Fabra and Alcover’s Impact
Catalan Language Standardization
The standardization of the Catalan language was a complex process. The diversity of proposals and the intransigence of its supporters paralyzed the resolution of the problem for many years. It was expected that new generations, gathered around *L’Avenç* magazine, would revive the issue. A campaign aimed at ending spelling anarchy had begun. Pompeu Fabra, the greatest promoter of the language reform initiated by the *L’Avenç* group, presented his views in the *Essay
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