Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University Quetta

Course Title: Pakistan Literature

Name: Akeela Jamot
Father’s name: Nazir Ahmad
Enrollment number: F19/M.Eng.42
Department: English
Semester & Section: MA 3rd semester
Instructor: Maam Saleha
Date: 22-10-20

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Contents
Literary Figures: 1
1: Irony: 1
2: Hyperbole: 1
3: Euphemism: 1
4: Alliteration:1
5: Metaphor: 2
6: Simile: 2
7: Onomatopoeia: 2
8: Oxymoron: 2
10: Synecdoche: 3
11: Understatement: 3
12: Pun: 3
13: Stereotype: 3
14: Rhetoric: 3
15: Sarcasm: 4
16: Satire: 4
17: Soliloquy: 4
18: Symbolism: 4
19: Subtext: 4
20: Tone: 5
21: Tragedy: 5
22: Comedy: 6
23: Verisimilitude: 6
24: Wit: 6
25: Wordplay: 7
26: Pathetic Fallacy: 7
27: Paradox: 7

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28: Palindrome: 7
29: Nostalgia: 7
30: Nemesis: 7
31: Mystery: 8
32: Monologue: 8
33: Melodrama: 8
34: Jargon: 8
35: Hamartia: 9
36: Foreshadowing: 9
37: Haiku: 9
38: Genre: 10
39: Antithesis: 10
40: Aphorism: 10
41: Antecedent: 10
42: Catharsis: 10
43: Assonance: 11
44: Diction: 11
45: Doppelganger: 11
46: Ellipsis: 11
47: Epiphany: 12
48: Eulogy: 12
49: Fable: 12
50: Foil: 13
51: Fallacy: 13
52: Imagery: 13
53: Innuendo: 13
54: Pathos: 14
55: Parody: 14

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56: Poetic justice: 14
57: Tragic flaw: 14
58: Utopia: 15
59: Theme: 15
60: Cliché: 15
Conclusion: 15
References: 15.

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Literary Figures of Speech
A figure of speech is a phrase or word having different meanings than its literal meanings. It
conveys meaning by identifying or comparing one thing to another, which has connotation or
meaning familiar to the audience. That is why it is helpful in creating vivid rhetorical effect .
1) Irony: -
It is use of the word in such a way in which the intended meaning is comppletly Opposite to
their literal meaning .
Examples ;
So nice of you to break my ring.
The bread is soft as a stone.
Thank you for cooking such a nice dish.

2) Hyperbole:
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Examples :
He is running faster than the wind.
The bag weighs a ton.
Next Friday is never going to a

3: Euphemism
Euphemism is an idiomatic expression, which loses its literal meanings and refers to something
else, in order to hide its unpleasantness.
Examples
Au natural, instead of naked
Moon landing instead of bald

4 Alliteration
Alliteration is used to show the repetition of consonant sound.
Examples
In poem Sachal’s poetry
Rip the veil from you face.
Neither did l roll rosary, nor did I ponder and pray,

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You by yourself, know what is in your form!
We are, what are we?
We know not, what we are!
Now we declare ‘we don’t exist’
She sells seashells at the sea-shore.
Peter piper picked a pack of pickled peppers.

5: Metaphor:
Metaphor is comparing two unlike objects or things, which may have some common qualities.
Examples
Your face is moon where my eye focuses every night
My heart is a time bomb eager to blast
6.Simile:
Use of smilies is a method of comparison.
Examples
As brave as Lion.
As funny as Monkey.
As strong as Ox.

7: Onomatopoeia:
It is defined as a word which imitates the natural sound of a thing. It creates a sound effect that
mimics the thing described, making the description more expressive and interesting.
Examples
Impact sounds; boom, crash, bang
Natural sounds; splash, drip spray
8: Oxymoron:
Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. The
common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective proceeded by a noun with contrasting
meanings, such as “cruel kindness,” or “living death”.

Examples

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This dress of yours is pretty ugly.
During an abortion operation, a doctor himself witnessed the silent scream of new born.

9.Synecdoche:
synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that refers to a part
Of something is substituted to stand in for the whole or vice versa.
Examples:
Ask for her hand, refers to asking a woman to marry.
Boots on the ground, refers to the soldiers.

10.Understatement:
An understatement is when you represent something as less than what it
Is. This can be done in writing or in speech. There are three types comedic, modest and polite.
Examples:
I am kind of excited.
Really, it’s hardly noticeable.
I did ok on that test.

11.Pun:
A pun is a play on words that produces a humorous effect by using a word that Suggests two or
more meanings or by exploiting similar sounding words that have different Meaning.
Examples
An elephant’s opinion carries a lot of weight.
Time flies like an arrow.

12. Stereotype: -
To believe unfairly that all people or things with a particular characteristic are
The same. Stereotype are oversimplified ideas about certain group of people.
Examples:
We are obsessed with guns
We don’t care about environment.
13. Sarcasm: -

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sarcasm is an ironic or satirical remark tempered by humor. Mainly people use it
To say the opposite of what’s true to make someone look or feel foolish.
Examples:
That’s just what I needed today!
When something bad happens. Well what a surprise.

14. Satire: -
satire is a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and Corruption of
an individual or a society by using humor and exaggeration or ridicule.
Most political cartoons we see every day in newspapers and magazines are examples of satire.

15: Soliloquy:
A soliloquy is a popular literary device often used in drama to reveal the innermost thoughts of a
character. It is a great technique used to convey the progress of action of the play, by means of
expressing a character’s thoughts about a certain character or past, present, or upcoming event,
while talking to him without acknowledging the presence of any other person.
Surrounded by all these living bodies, still alone. No wander I am not belongs there, but I have to
fight for my survival. Yes I can do this.
“To be or not to be; that is the question……” this speech from Hamlet is arguably the most
popular example of soliloquy.

16. Symbolism:
Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving them symbolic
meanings that are different from their literal sense.
Examples :
Colors: red stands for love and romance, black color respond to evil or death, white respond to
purity and angelic.

17. Subtext
The subtext is the unspoken or less obvious meaning or message in a literary composition,
drama, speech, or conversation. The subtext comes to be known by the reader or audience over
time, as it is not immediately or purposefully revealed by the story itself.
Examples :
She smiled when she heard someone else had won, but knowing what she was thinking, the smile
was a façade which covered her true disappointment at having lost the election.

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The subtext in the situation is the reality that what is below the surface—disappointment—does
not match the surface—happiness and congratulations.

18 Tone
Tone is the writes attitude toward a subject, character, or audience (the way feelings are
expressed). The definition of “tone” in literature is the way the author expresses his attitude
through his writing. The tone can change very quickly or may remain the same throughout the
story.
Exmples
In the poem Mending Wall by Robert Frost the tone was confuse (who is baking the wall), and
surprised (to see the reaction of his neighbor).
In the poem The Road Not Taken tell by Robert Frost the tone was confused (that which take )
and sorry (he cant take the other).
In the poem Birches by Robert Frost the tone is Imagism, Happiness, Past, Nostalgia, Optimism,
Despair, Annoyance, Sadness, Shock, and Longing.

19. Trgaedy
Tragedy is a genre of story in which a hero is brought down by his/her own flaws, usually by
ordinary human flaws – flaws like greed, over-ambition, or even an excess of love, honor, or
loyalt.
Examples
Thorin Oakenshield from The Hobbit is a great tragic hero. Though he’s living in exile, he’s still
the king of the Dwarves and a great warrior. His quest is to restore the Dwarves to their kingdom
under the mountain, and he is utterly committed to that quest – so committed, in fact, that he
gradually isolates himself from his supporters and friends, believing he can trust no one. Take
note, though! Thorin might be a tragic hero, but The Hobbit is no tragedy! It has a happy ending,
after all.
Marlowe was the first English dramatist worthy of the tradition of Greek tragedy. The characters
of his tragedies are the great men of history, who became victims of their own fate.
Tamburlaine
Doctor Faustus
The Jew of Malta
Edward III

20. Comedy

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Comedy is a literary genre and a type of dramatic work that is amusing and satirical in its tone,
mostly having a cheerful ending. This dramatic work is triumph over unpleasant circumstance by
creating comic effects, resulting in a happy or successful conclusion.
Type
Romantic Comedy
Comedy of humors
Comedy of manners
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (By William Shakespeare)
Examples :
William Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is a good example of a romantic
comedy, presenting young lovers falling comically in and out of love for a brief period. Their
real world problems get resolved magically, enemies reconcile, and true lovers unite in the end.

21. Verisimilitude:
verisimilitude is defined as appearing or having the appearance of being Real or true. A
statement which merely appears to be true. A truly verisimilitudinous story can draw in the
reader so much so that he or she feels Sympathy for the characters, believes their dialogues could
be real, and believes that what Happens could really happen in the real world. Here are a few
simple examples of
A typically kind character says “I’m so very sorry! It was an accident!” after accidentally
Tripping someone on the bus.
As Aaron stepped out of the house into the afternoon light, his hair seemed to change color;
The orange light of the setting sun reflected off hairs red, brown, blonde, and even a

22: Wit:
Wit is a biting or insightful kind of humor. It includes sharp comebacks, clever banter, and dry,
one-line jokes. It is often cynical or insulting, which is what provides it with its characteristic
sharpness. One key hallmark of wit is that it often takes a second to figure out.

Examples
You are not totally useless; you could be used as a bad example.
I do not exactly hate you, but if you were on fire and I had water, I’d drink it.

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23: Wordplay:
Word play is a literary technique and a form of wit in which words used become the main subject
of the work, primarily for the purpose of intended effect or amusement. Word play is quite
common in oral cultures as a method of reinforcing meaning.
Your argument is sound, nothing but a sound.
Why are teddy bears never hungry? Because They are always stuffed.
pathetic fallacy :is a figure of speech in which the natural world (or some part of it) is
Treated as though it had human emotions. The phrase “weeping willow” is an example of
The pathetic fallacy, since it suggests that this tree is sad or dejected, which of course is not
True it just looks that way to our eyes.
Example
“Nature abhors a vacuum”.
This common saying is a great example of the pathetic fallacy.

24: Paradox:
The term paradox is from the Greek word “Paradoxon”, which means “contrary to expectations,
existing belief, or perceived opinion.
Examples
I am going to start thinking positive, but I know it won’t work.
My home is getting to dangerous to be alive.

25: Palindrome:
It is defined as a number, a word, a sentence, a symbol, or even signs that can be read forward as
well as backward, or in reverse order with the same effects and meanings.
Examples
No lemon, no melon.
Dammit I’m mad.

26: Nostalgia:
Nostalgia is employed to discuss a general interest in the past, or the personalities of the past,
and subsequent feelings of pleasure or pain.
And in between “Fresher’s” and “Farewell” life happened.
If friends are memories school is Nostalgia.
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27)Nemesis:
Nemesis is a literary device that refers to a situation of poetic justice, where the good characters
Are rewarded for their virtues, and the evil characters are punished for their vices
Example :
Doctor Faustus (By Christopher Marlowe)
In Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, Faustus’ nemesis was his pride in his scholarship, and
His overambitious nature. Overcome by his irresistible desire, he sells his soul to Lucifer, by
Signing a contract with his blood. He defies Christianity by learning the art of black magic,
Consequently paying for his arrogance and his pride. As the time mentioned in the contract with
The devil exhausts, the devil takes his soul to Hell, where he suffers eternal damnation.
Example :
Hamlet (By William Shakespeare)
We find two nemesis examples in Shakespeare’s Hamlet: Hamlet, and Hamlet’s indecisiveness.
Hamlet acts as a nemesis for Claudius, who kills Hamlet’s father and marries his mother.
Claudius’ devilishness calls for immediate retribution. The ghost of Hamlet’s dead father appears
To him, and convinces him to exact revenge. He finds Claudius as the real murderer, and after
Much indecisive thinking kills him.

28)Mystery:
Anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown. A novel, short story, play, or
Film whose plot involves a crime or other event that remains puzzlingly unsettled .
And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie

29: Monologue:
A monologue is a speech that one character delivers aloud to express his or her inner thoughts.
Monologue examples are most frequently found in drama though can be found in movies and
poems as well.
Examples
No I can’t, I have lost all my strength the last thing is to die, I want to hang myself from this fan
all will be sort out after this. All will be happy.(A speech of hopeless person before suicide)
Now I will show them mine power, I will not leave a single one. All are going to be murdered by
my hands. Then my revenge will be complete.

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30 Melodrama
Melodrama is a subgenre of drama, which is an exaggerated form of this genre. Melodramas deal
with sensational and romantic topics that appeal to the emotions of the common audience.
Originally, it made use of melody and music, while modern melodramas may not contain any
music at all. In fact, a melodrama gives preference to a detailed characterization where characters
are simply drawn, one-dimensional, or stereotyped. Typically, melodrama uses stock characters
including a heroes, heroines, and villains.
Examples
Still Life, Brief Encounter (By Noel Coward)
Noel Coward’s heartbreaking drama Still Life, Brief Encounter, tells the story of two people
who seemed destined to be unhappy. In the film, a leading role and married woman, Laura
Jesson, encounters a doctor, Alec Harvey, in a train station. They decide to meet once in a week
at the same station. Soon they begin to feel delighted in each other’s company and share
everything. Eventually they come to realize that they are in love with each other. Their
realization, however, leads to a tragic notion that they cannot leave their families, which finally
ends up in unrequited love, with their lives doomed into despondency
An innocent girl is contentiously tortured by her in law’s
A boy who faced back to back rejections and breakups, are best examples of melodrama.

31) jargon
Jargon is the specific type of language used by a particular group or profession. Jargon
(pronounced jär-gən) can be used to describe correctly used technical language in a
Positive way. Or, it can describe language which is overly technical, obscure, and
Pretentious in a negative way.
Example
I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 2nd of April. The purpose of my suggestion
That my client purchases an area of land from yourself is that this can be done right up to
Your clearly defined boundary in which case notwithstanding that the plan is primarily for
Identification purposes on the ground the position of the boundary would be clearly
Ascertainable this in our opinion would overcome the existing problem.
The worst scenario would be for Bruiser to get indicted and arrested and put on trial. That
Process would take at least a year. He’d still be able to work and operate his office. I think.
They can’t disbar him until he’s convicted.

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32 Hamartia:
Hamartia is a personal error in a protagonist’s personality, which brings about his tragic downfall
in a tragedy. This defect in a hero’s personality is also known as a “tragic flaw.”
Examples
All was going well unless her arrogance interrupted and destroyed everything.
In Frankenstein by Merry Shelly, Victor’s flaw was his pride, arrogance and thirst of admiration.

33: Foreshadowing:
Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come
later in the story. Foreshadowing often appears at the beginning of a story, or a chapter, and
helps the reader develop expectations about the coming events in a story.
Examples
Sun is started to hide behind black clouds, a cool breeze with due like drops are starting to fell
upon leaves. (Foreshadowing of rain)
A shine came upon her cheeks, a warm and cold breath came haphazardly .she was trying to
control her emotions.( Foreshadowing of love)

34: Haiku:
A haiku is a specific type of Japanese poem which has 17 syllables divided into three lines of 5,
7, and 5 syllables. Haikus or haiku are typically written on the subject of nature.
Mosquito at my ear—
Does he think
I’m deaf?
This haiku was written by the famous Japanese poet Issa.
Old pond…
A frog leaps in
Water’s sound
This is considered the most famous Japanese haiku, written by Bashō.

35 .Genre:
A genre is a category of literature identified by form, content, and style. Genres allow
Literary critics and students to classify compositions within the larger canon of literature.

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Examples
Example of Literary Genre
The poem “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke fits under the genre of poetry because
Its written with lines that meter and rhythm and is divided into stanzas.
It does not follow the traditional sentence-paragraph format that is seen in other genres.
Example 2 from poetry Genre.
“Sonnet 18” is a poem by William Shakespeare that falls within this category of literature.
It is a structured poem that consists of 14 lines that follow a meter (iambic pentameter) and
A rhyme scheme that is consist with Shakespearean Sonnets.
Example 3 from drama Genre
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde would be considered a drama because it
Is written through dialogue in the form of a script that includes stage directions to aid the
Actors in the performance of the play.

36: Antithesis:
Antithesis, which literally means “opposite,” is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas
are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.
Examples
“Write quickly and you will never write well; write well and you will soon write quickly.”
“Our doubt is our passion, and our passion is our task.”
37. Aphorism:
Aphorism is a statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner. The term is
often applied to philosophical, moral, and literary principles.
Examples
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happens.
There is nothing permanent except change.

38: Antecedent:
Antecedent is an earlier clause, phrase, or word to which a pronoun, noun, or another word
refers.it is a literary device in which a word or pronoun in a line or sentence refers to an earlier
word.

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Examples
I saw a picture of Alina on the road side; I picked it up and handed it to her.
He picked his phone up and smashed it into the wall.

39: Catharsis:
A Catharsis is an emotional discharge through which one can achieve a state of moral or
Spiritual renewal, or achieve a state of liberation from anxiety and stress. Catharsis is a
Greek word meaning “cleansing.” In literature, it is used for the cleansing of emotions of
The characters.
Examples
Romeo and Juliet (By William Shakespeare)
“Here’s to my love! [Drinks] O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.

OTHELLO: I pray you, in your letters,

When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,
Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely, but too well.
Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought,
Perplexed in the extreme. Of one whose hand,
Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away
Richer than all his tribe.
…
I took by the throat the circumcisèd dog,
And smote him, thus.
(Othello by William Shakespeare)
At the end of William Shakespeare’s Othello, just as in every other tragedy that Shakespeare
wrote, many characters die. The true tragedy of Othello is not just the deaths of the characters
Desdemona and Othello, but that Othello realizes his mistake too late. He understands only after
he has killed Desdemona that Iago has led him astray. Therefore, his catharsis must come in the

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form of suicide, and he stabs himself after his final line. The catharsis for the audience comes in
the fear of being betrayed by a friend, feeling that intense remorse on Othello’s behalf, and
witnessing his death, perhaps with a pledge never to be so taken in themselves by a friend’s
reassurances and stories.

40. Assonance
Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound or diphthong in non-rhyming words. To qualify as
assonance, the words must be close enough for the repetition of the sound to be noticeable.
Examples
In poem Briefing Bulleh by Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah
My caste? I’ve none; I’m just a man
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.
On a proud round cloud in white high night

41: Diction:
Defined as the way a writer writes. It is the technique that an individual author uses in his
writing. Diction can be formal and informal.
Examples
Formal: hey young man! Pleasure to see you, how are you feeling today.
Informal: hay buddy where have you been, long time no see.

42: Doppelganger:
Doppelganger, a German word meaning “look-alike,” or “double walker,” originally referred to a
ghost or shadow of a person; but in modern times it simply refers to a person that is a look-alike
of another person.
Examples
In the story of doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hide, Hide is an evil doppelganger of respected Jekyll.
In the short story William Wilson by Allan Poe the boy found another boy with same name and
surprisingly same face as a doppelganger.

43.Ellipsis:
Ellipsis is a literary device that is used in narratives to omit some parts of a sentence or
Event, which gives the reader a chance to fill the gaps while acting or reading it out. It is
Usually written between the sentences as a series of three dots, like this: “…”
Examples

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Crash Blossoms, The New York Times, Jan. 27, 2010 (By Ben Zimmer)
“The potential for unintended humor in ‘compressed’ English isn’t restricted to headline
Writing; it goes back to the days of the telegraph. One clever (though possibly apocryphal)
Example once appeared in the pages of Time magazine: Cary Grant received a telegram
From an editor inquiring, ‘HOW OLD CARY GRANT? – to which he responded: ‘OLD
CARY GRANT FINE. HOW YOU?’ The omitted verb may have saved the sender a nickel,
But the snappy comeback was worth far more.
To the Lighthouse (By Virginia Woolf)
Among the famous examples of ellipsis in literature, the best would be Virginia Woolf’s
Novel To the Lighthouse. This book involves two parts, one before the World War I was
Fought and won, and the latter accounts for the events occurring afterwards. All the events
That occurred in between have not been mentioned in the book. Rather, it has left to the
Readers to deduce the events from the notable changes that have occurred in the
Characters’ lives.

44)Epiphany: As a literary device, epiphany (pronounced ih-pif–uh-nee) is the moment

When a character is suddenly struck with a life-changing realization which changes the rest
Of the story. Often, an epiphany begins with a small, everyday occurrence or experience.
Example
It’s a normal day in class when Mary trips on her shoelace and falls down. As she
Embarrassedly stands up blushing and finds her desk, Ryan realizes he is in love with her.
“The Dead”.
His soul had approached that region where dwell the vast hosts of the dead. He was
Conscious of, but could not apprehend, their wayward and flickering existence. His own
Identity was fading out into a grey impalpable world: the solid world itself, which these
Dead had one time reared and lived in, was dissolving and dwindling.

45: Eulogy:
Known as homily, the term eulogy originates from the Greek word eulogia, which means “to
praise” somebody or something. A eulogy is a literary device that is a laudatory expression in a
speech, or a written tribute to a person recently deceased. It is a commendation or high praise

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intended to give honor, generally to a dead family member or loved one, or it is a tribute given to
a dead person at his or her funeral.
Examples
My darling niece! I cannot believe that she has been taken away from us after only 12 years on
this earth. It is much too short a time, but they have been the most precious. Goodbye, my
precious girl – I know you are up in heaven now, waving down to us with cheeky grin on your
beautiful face.
A farewell by Alfred Lord Tennyson is also a proper eulogy example.
46. Fable:The word fable is derived from the Latin word fibula, which means “a story,” and a
derivative of the word fari, which means “to speak.” Fable is a literary device that can be defined
as a concise and brief story intended to provide a moral lesson at the end.
Examples
The tortoise and rabbit, the fox and the grapes, lion and mouse, unity is strength and thirsty crow
are good example of fables.

47: Foil:
A foil is a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another
character. The objective is to highlight the traits of the other character.
Examples
In the story of Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy is a foil character.in the same series Harry and
Voldemort are also foils, highlighting each other’s character.
In Romeo and Juliet, Mercuito is a foil to Romeo.

48: Fallacy:
A fallacy is an erroneous argument dependent upon an unsound or illogical contention. It is a
display of faulty reasoning that makes an argument invalid, or a faulty belief based on an
unsound argument.
Examples
From last 10 year project of clean road side is on, authorities is judging the project by one side
only , beneath the banner of clear road sides government is neglecting the poor community living
on the site area , without providing them an agreeable amount this project can’t be continue.
Due to a false superstition, all the projects have been canceled on the country yard, should ghosts
are responsible for faulty judgment or someone more respected.

52: Imagery:

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Imagery means to use figurative language to represent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way
that it appeals to our physical senses.
Examples
Splashing sound of sea in the darkest hour of night, beneath the limit less sky, clouds are
thundering, every single object of nature is moaning on her broken heart.
The sweet and creamy taste of yogurt desert always remind me of my grandma’s hands,

53;Pathos
Pathos is a quality of an experience in life, or a work of art, that stirs up emotions of
pity, sympathy, and sorrow. Pathos can be expressed through words, pictures, or even with
gestures of the body.
Examples
Pride and Prejudice (By Jane Austen)
Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” is well known for its pathos. Mr. Collins’ confession to
Elizabeth that he wants her to be his future partner evokes feelings of sympathy in readers, as
they feel an emotional intensity in his proposal.
Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty adds to your other perfections. But you
can hardly doubt the object of my discourse, however your feminine delicacy may lead you to
dissemble. For, as almost as soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of
my future life!

54;Parody
A parody is a work that’s created by imitating an existing original work in order to make fun of
or comment on an aspect of the original. Parodies can target celebrities, politicians, authors,
a style or trend, or any other interesting subject.
Examples
Gulliver’s Travels (By Jonathan Swift)
Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels is a parody of travel narratives, as well as a satire on
contemporary England. As the empire of England spread to far off lands, it became a center of
navigation and exploration. Adventure and travel narratives telling stories of strange lands
became popular.
Robinson Crusoe (By Daniel Defoe)
Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe was a travel narrative. Swift adopted a similar mode to describe
Gulliver’s travels to the strange land of Lilliput, and other such places where he meets
“Lilliputians,” and the giant “Brobdingnagians.” He also meets other strange creatures like

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“Laputians” and “Houyhnhnms,” and the “Yahoos”. The parody for Swift was intended as a
satire on English society..

56: Poetic justice:

Poetic justice is an ideal form of justice, in which the good characters are rewarded and the bad
characters are punished, by an ironic twist of fate.
Examples
Harry potter become a most famous and well known wizard after being treated badly by
Dursaly’s.
Cinderella becomes a queen after being a slave.

57: Tragic flaw:

Tragic flaw is a literary device that can be defined as a trait in a character leading to his
downfall, and the character is often the hero of the literary piece.
Examples
Though he was a very good man but Due to his extreme anger, she killed his own daughter and
commit suicide afterwards. (Anger is character’s tragic flaw)
Apart from all her hard work and dignity, one thing that becomes the reason of her failure, was
her overconfidence.

58: Utopia:
The literary term utopia denotes an illusionary place that projects the notion of a perfect society
to the reader. Here, the “perfect society” refers to ideal conditions achieved within the material
world.
Examples
The idea of world peace is a good example of utopia.
Formation of Riasat-e-Madina in Pakistan is a utopia.

59: Theme:
Theme is defined as a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work, which may be
stated directly or indirectly.
Examples
In the story thirsty crow main theme is cleverness.
In Harry potter series the main themes are friendship, bravery, power and modesty.

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60: Cliché:
Cliché refers to an expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original
meaning or novelty. A cliché may also refer to actions and events that are predictable because of
some previous events.
Examples
In the nick of time-to happen just in time
Only time will tell-to become clear over time
At the speed of light-to do something very quickly
Lasted on eternity-to last for a very long time
Lost track of time- to stop paying attention to time
In describing people, these expressions have turned into cliché
As brave as a lion-describes a very brave person
As clever as a fox-describes a very clever person
As old as the hills-describes an old person or id.

Conclusion:
Literary devices are techniques that writers use to express their ideas and enhance their writing.
Literary devices highlight important concepts in a text, strengthen the narrative, and help readers
connect to the characters and themes. These devices serve a wide range of purposes .

References:
Critical Terms for Literary Study. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995. Call Number:
Ref PN 81 .C84 1995.
Dictionary of Literary Characters. Edinburgh: Chambers, 2004. Call Number: Ref PR 19 .D53
2004.
Holman, C. Hugh. A Handbook to Literature. Indianapolis: Odyssey Press, 1972. Call Number:
Ref PN 41 .H6 1972.

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Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1974.
Call Number: Ref PN 1021 .E5 1974.

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