Rhetorical exclamations and questions are an artistic tool that is often used by authors of various genres, enriching their works with emotions, ideas and meaning. No person of sound mind and fascinated by literature would take it upon himself to deny the importance of these tropes. However, no matter how simple such a technique as using a rhetorical exclamation may seem, it is not enough to be able to identify it in other people's works in order to correctly use it in your own. It is important to understand why it is needed, what can be expressed with it, and what should not be expressed.
General definition
A rhetorical exclamation is a means of artistic expression based on conveying the culmination of a character's feelings or the intensity of passions within the described event through a sentence with an exclamation point. This trope is also called an exclamation from the English exclaim - "exclaim". Another term is "epekphonesis".
There are two main types of rhetorical exclamations:
- Aganactesis. Used to express irritation or indignation.
- Kataploka. This is a kind of exclamation rate, which is not grammatically connected with the rest of the sentence and, as it were, breaks it in half. It is somewhat similar to the introductory sentence, but is not separated by commas, but by a dash or brackets.
In fact, the functionality of rhetorical exclamations is much wider, but their other types have not been classified. It cannot be said that insufficient attention has been paid to the study of this trail. Rather, its possibilities are simply so wide and varied that it is not possible to categorize them.
Why are rhetorical exclamations necessary?
Different authors have a different approach to the use of means of artistic expression. This is not to say that rhetorical exclamations have a list of strictly defined functions, because poets and writers are constantly finding new and new ways to use tropes and surprise readers. However, over the years of using this literary device in different styles and genres, a certain pattern has been traced.
Here are the most common goals pursued by authors using rhetorical exclamations:
- With the help of an exclamation, the author marks the highest point of passions in the work. He focuses on what, in his opinion, is the most important, and thus expresses the brightest, most meaningful idea.
- Exclamations help to enhance the expressiveness of speech, make it more unusual and memorable. In a similar way, favorite words, parasitic words and other elements of the expression of individuality are introduced into the speech of the character.
- The author's attitude to what is happening is most often expressed precisely with the help of rhetorical exclamations.
- Through emotional remarks, the author attracts the attention of the reader.
- Thus, you can also create an emphasis on the problem that is raised in the work.
Of course, this is not all that can be done with the help of rhetorical exclamations. This is only an incomplete list of patterns identified over several hundred years of the development of world literature.
Examples
Rhetorical exclamations are widely used in Russian literature. Here are some examples:
And again the water subdued through, and there's no doubt about anyone.
And suddenly, from somewhere - the devil knows! -
rising from the depths of the Vodnya Revkom.
(V. V. Mayakovsky, "The Atlantic Ocean")
At once two exclamations in one stanza:
Poets, knights, ascetics, A sage philologist with a pile of books…
Suddenly behind the lamp - a rocket shine!
The preacher is a joker!
And everyone carried their bouquets
To our already large flower garden.
(Marina Tsvetaeva, Perpetuum mobile)
Another striking example of an exclamation that is, in fact, an aganakthesis:
Death is one for two. Enough!
I'm sure it doesn't hurt.
Are you sure about something else.
(Anna Akhmatova, "Death is one for two. Enough")
Any reader can easily find many more examples of rhetorical exclamations not only in poetry but also in prose.
Summing up
This means of artistic expression is bright and emotional. It is not difficult to find it in other people's works, but it can be difficult to use if you do not know why and do not follow the example of professionals. However, it is this trope that can be decisive in creating a work of value from an artistic point of view.
