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Abstract:Langston Hughes expresses different artistic features from the past:1) unusual narrative technique;2)scenes;3) defamiliarization;4)language. Hughes' quiet narration substantially reflects an undercurrent of feeling of the quiet hero and heroine, which sharply contrast to the strong emotions between them.
Key words: artistic features;narrative technique;figure ;language style
中图分类号:H31 文献标识码:A 文章编号:1009-0118(2010)-10-0-01
Langston Hughes is concerned about style as any poet will be. The simplicity of his story is deceptive, for everything is carefully chosen and placed to create a rhythm and meaning that moves the reader along. Early Autumn is a case to the point. The particular writing style is fully demonstrated in this short story.
Early Autumn describes a sad love story from a special point of view. Mary and Bill loved each other, but split up eventually for trifles. And several years later, they met each other unexpectedly at a bus stop on Washington Square. At the moment, Mary was regretful for her previous impulsiveness and tried hard to reestablish their relationship, while Bill was very polite and insincere for his profession and happy family life breed his pride. The impact of the story is tremendous. Here is a simple glimpse into life that shock readers into the vicissitudes of human life.
The language themselves are like poem languages. Fragments, inverted structures, rhythm, pithiness and simplicity are typical features of poetry. Fragments: Nearly sunsets/ cold/ Fell without wind/ Autumn dusk/ Space and people.Inverted structures: Many nights they had spent walking, talking together. Rhythm: The leaves fell slowly from the trees in the square. Fell without wind. Autumn dusk. She felt a little sick. People came them outside. People crossing the street. People they didn't know. Space and people. Many nights they had spent walking, talking together. The undulation and echo used here equipped the story with a feature peculiar to the poem, which makes the story vivid and lively. The characteristics of simplicity are shown in two aspects: plot and language. The author gives no complicated description of plots, while creates an unexpected effect by implementing common words and simple structure. For instance, Bill went away, bitter about women. A few words make readers sense the great pain Bill suffered. Bill was sorrowful, indignant and in despair. Held out his hand/ some night/ sure. Two kids/ Oh demonstrates Bill's formal and cold response to Mary's enthusiasm. Bill wants to keep distance with Mary and shows his stand definitely--- we are just common acquaintances. All of these simple conversions and description helps to shape characters.
The last point deserves mention here is some paralinguistic features presented in this story. I'm always wondering what happened to you, Bill. /Oh./ Sure, two kids. The simple word Oh reflects complicated and contradictory inner feeling of Mary. One hand, Mary may feel relieved --- Bill is living a happy life, no need to worry about him; on the other hand, Mary may feel hurt and sense Bill doesn't keep her in mind these years and may not love her any more, so she is also a little sentimental.
As a rule, the author acts as a storyteller, in the part of narration, the author should not make comment, some critics believe, the task of the author, and outsider, is to tell the story objectively. Here Langston Hughes makes comment implicitly, not openly. For instance, people and space. This implies that there is not only spatial space between Mary and Bill, but also psychological space that cannot be surpassed between them. Another example, people they didn't know. This implies that their relationship is just like people they don't know. They are strangers with time goes on. There collocations are conveyed between the lines.
In conclusion, Early Autumn is a well-written love story. It is just like a piece of sentimental music, a gloomy picture, and a miserable but beautiful poem that attracts readers all the time. It makes readers always indulge in the blue mood and show great sympathy for poor Mary and dislike for cold Bill. Therefore, the author is skillful in touching and seizing readers' hearts by employing proper style to achieve expected effect of art. Langston Hughes, as a poet, is famous for adopting unconventional language style to gain special effect. The author will choose different language style according to different needs.
Key words: artistic features;narrative technique;figure ;language style
中图分类号:H31 文献标识码:A 文章编号:1009-0118(2010)-10-0-01
Langston Hughes is concerned about style as any poet will be. The simplicity of his story is deceptive, for everything is carefully chosen and placed to create a rhythm and meaning that moves the reader along. Early Autumn is a case to the point. The particular writing style is fully demonstrated in this short story.
Early Autumn describes a sad love story from a special point of view. Mary and Bill loved each other, but split up eventually for trifles. And several years later, they met each other unexpectedly at a bus stop on Washington Square. At the moment, Mary was regretful for her previous impulsiveness and tried hard to reestablish their relationship, while Bill was very polite and insincere for his profession and happy family life breed his pride. The impact of the story is tremendous. Here is a simple glimpse into life that shock readers into the vicissitudes of human life.
The language themselves are like poem languages. Fragments, inverted structures, rhythm, pithiness and simplicity are typical features of poetry. Fragments: Nearly sunsets/ cold/ Fell without wind/ Autumn dusk/ Space and people.Inverted structures: Many nights they had spent walking, talking together. Rhythm: The leaves fell slowly from the trees in the square. Fell without wind. Autumn dusk. She felt a little sick. People came them outside. People crossing the street. People they didn't know. Space and people. Many nights they had spent walking, talking together. The undulation and echo used here equipped the story with a feature peculiar to the poem, which makes the story vivid and lively. The characteristics of simplicity are shown in two aspects: plot and language. The author gives no complicated description of plots, while creates an unexpected effect by implementing common words and simple structure. For instance, Bill went away, bitter about women. A few words make readers sense the great pain Bill suffered. Bill was sorrowful, indignant and in despair. Held out his hand/ some night/ sure. Two kids/ Oh demonstrates Bill's formal and cold response to Mary's enthusiasm. Bill wants to keep distance with Mary and shows his stand definitely--- we are just common acquaintances. All of these simple conversions and description helps to shape characters.
The last point deserves mention here is some paralinguistic features presented in this story. I'm always wondering what happened to you, Bill. /Oh./ Sure, two kids. The simple word Oh reflects complicated and contradictory inner feeling of Mary. One hand, Mary may feel relieved --- Bill is living a happy life, no need to worry about him; on the other hand, Mary may feel hurt and sense Bill doesn't keep her in mind these years and may not love her any more, so she is also a little sentimental.
As a rule, the author acts as a storyteller, in the part of narration, the author should not make comment, some critics believe, the task of the author, and outsider, is to tell the story objectively. Here Langston Hughes makes comment implicitly, not openly. For instance, people and space. This implies that there is not only spatial space between Mary and Bill, but also psychological space that cannot be surpassed between them. Another example, people they didn't know. This implies that their relationship is just like people they don't know. They are strangers with time goes on. There collocations are conveyed between the lines.
In conclusion, Early Autumn is a well-written love story. It is just like a piece of sentimental music, a gloomy picture, and a miserable but beautiful poem that attracts readers all the time. It makes readers always indulge in the blue mood and show great sympathy for poor Mary and dislike for cold Bill. Therefore, the author is skillful in touching and seizing readers' hearts by employing proper style to achieve expected effect of art. Langston Hughes, as a poet, is famous for adopting unconventional language style to gain special effect. The author will choose different language style according to different needs.