Narrative Method

1. What did the author gain by resorting to a first-person narration?

2. Does the shift in the narrative method and style affect the general impression of the tale?

Tone, Atmosphere, Style

1. Do the descriptions of light and shade add to the atmosphere?

2. What specific words and phrases convey the gloomy and mysterious atmosphere?

3. How does the tone vary?

4. What linguistic means create a sombre and gloomy tone in the first part or the tale, and then a lyrical and dramatic tone in the second part?

5. Does the language of the history of the oval portrait differ from that of the first part of the tale?

6. What artistic effect does the narrator's forceful diction produce?

7. What effect do the rare and bookish words produce?

8. Collect the words that Poe used to describe the variations of emotions experienced by a) the narrator, b) the maiden, c) the painter. Does Poe depict subtle changes in their state of mind?

9. Is Poe's language designed to appeal to all the senses — sight,touch, smell, taste, hearing?

10. How does the language of the second part contribute to its fantastic theme? What devices make it sound rhythmical, lyrical and dramatic?

SUGGESTIONS FOR COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

1. Compare the tone of The Oval Portrait with that of The Cop and the Anthem. Is it emotional in both the stories? What ring does it have in each of the stories? Does it sound ironic or humorous, quiet or excited, cheerful or gloomy; objective or subjective? Support your view with references to the text.

2. What linguistic means create the tone in the story The Cop and the Anthem?

3. Compare the atmosphere in both the stories. How does the plot in each of the stories affect the atmosphere?

4. How reasonable is it to define O'Henry's diction as forceful, too?

5. Is O'Henry's language designed to appeal to the senses? Give examples to support your view.

6. Does light also play an important part in The Cop and the Anthem? Does it affect the atmosphere and tone?

7. Where is O'Henry's descriptive strength — in describing human emotions or depicting sights? Cite specific instances from The Cop and the Anthem to support your opinion.

8. Is his language colourful and expressive? Support your view with references to the text.

9. Yet what distinguishes the tone of The Cop and the Anthem from that of The Oval Portrait?

TEXT 11.

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