Contemporary Text Analysis

Now that you have successfully determined the characteristics of Asian

literature, in this activity you will analyze a literary text from Vietnam. Read the
text and answer the questions that follow.
Elegy

By Mong-Lan
Vietnam

& what if hope crashes through the door what if

that lasts a somersault?

hope for serendipity

even if a series of meals were all between us

even if the aeons lined up out

of order

what are years if not measured by trees

Narrative Voice:
1. Who is speaking in this passage?
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2. What narrative perspective is being used in this passage?

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3. What does the narrative voice tell you?

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Tone:
4. Is the speaker being straightforward, factual, open?
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5. Does the voice carry any emotion? Or is it detached from its subject?
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6. Do you hear irony (what is said is different from what is meant)? If so, where?
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Rhetorical and Literary devices:

7. Do you notice any figurative language, such as metaphors and similes? Specify.
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8. Do you observe any imagery? Highlight.

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9. Is the sound of the language and sentences important (e.g., rhyme, repetition,
choppy or long sentences)?
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10. What is the effect of these devices and techniques? (e.g., do they add emphasis or
connect key ideas?)
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