The similarities and differences between the literary forms of the short story, the poem, and drama
The use of literary devices in the writing is a common similarity shared between the different genres of literature. For instance, playwrights can effectively use a literary device such as a simile in poetry, a short story as well as in drama. To enhance symbolism and imagery in these literary texts, the use of these devices becomes inevitable in each on of them.
In fact, all the literary genres have a certain setting: the context within which the author presents his/her story. The setting helps in making the story authentic and further instilling in it a sense of realism. In all the literary genres with poems, short stories as well as drama, there must be a setting in which the characters of the story are located (Henson, 1992, p.23). For instance, the setting of ‘Macbeth’ covers various locations of Scotland as well as England while the setting of the ‘Gift of the Magi’ is in New York City around 1900s.
A major difference between poems and drama and the short story is that the first two have a predefined format of writing which includes the use of more dramatic words as compared to the short story (Henson, 1992, p.44). For instance, in order to achieve its effective dramatic function, poetry and in some cases drama has to utilize stylistic devices such as rhyme, repetition as well as alliteration that cannot stand out effectively in the short story.
Poetry and drama have a predetermined format while the short story does not have. A poem has to feature verses to qualify as poetry while drama has to feature acts and scenes. This does not apply to the short story, which can take the form of a journal entry or even a linear plotted story.
Identify key qualities of drama and poetry which emphasize their performative qualities
Poetry and drama employ the use of dramatic speech, which plays a useful role in the articulation of accompanying actions. For instance, the use of repetition in poetry and drama evokes the dramaturgy, normally accompanied with the words. A good example is the repetition used by Shakespeare in Othello. Othello says, “Put out the light, end then put out the light” (Edith, 1985, p.65). The repetition of these words ensures the elaboration of the statements by the use of accompanying actions.
The use of figures of speech such as rhyme, repetition, assonance and alliteration creates a rhythm useful in the sense that they make the pieces more dramatic. The rhythm that these devices add to the texts is essential in that the audience find it easy to follow the stories or the narrations presented in the text. For instance in poetry, rhythm comes out using a meter, which makes it memorable and possible for the audience to relate with easily.
Using mostly dialogue and narration, poetry and drama becomes more dramatic than the other literary genres. For instance, in poems, the persona may narrate while addressing the audience directly or another character in the story of the poem. A similar case applies in drama where the dialogue between two or more characters brings the text to life. The use of rhetorical questions as it is common in poetry and in drama, more so in soliloquy, holds an important role as it creates a direct link between the text and the reader or the audience. Some questions thrown deliberately to the audience evoke reactions, a case that happens more in poetry and drama than in other literary texts.
Reference List
Edith, J. (1985).Shakespeare’s Othello. New York: Penguin.
Henson, B. (1992). Understanding Different Literary Genres. London: Oxford University Press.