Transferred Epithet Definition and Examples

A transferred epithet is a little known—but often used—figure of speech in which a modifier (usually an adjective) qualifies a noun other than the person or thing it is actually describing. In other words, the modifier or epithet is  transferred  from the noun it is meant to describe to another noun in the sentence.   Transferred Epithet Examples An example  of a transferred epithet is: I had a wonderful day. The day is not in itself wonderful. The  speaker  had a wonderful day. The epithet wonderful actually describes the kind of day the speaker experienced. Some other examples of transferred epithets are cruel bars, sleepless night, and suicidal sky.   The bars, presumably installed in a prison are inanimate objects, and therefore, cant be cruel. The person who installed the bars is cruel. The bars merely serve to foster the persons cruel intentions. Can a night be sleepless? No, its the person experiencing a night during which he or she cannot sleep who is sleepless (in Seattle or anywhere else). Likewise, a sky cant be suicidal—but a dark, ominous sky might add to the depressed feelings of a suicidal individual. Another example would be: Sara has an  unhappy marriage. Marriage is ephemeral; an intellectual construct—it can neither be happy or unhappy because a marriage is not capable of having emotions. Sara (and presumably her husband), on the other hand,  could  have an unhappy marriage. This quote, then, is a transferred epithet: It transfers the modifier, unhappy, to the word marriage. The Language of Metaphors Because transferred epithets provide a vehicle for  metaphoric language, writers often employ them to infuse their works with vivid imagery as the following examples show: â€Å"As I sat in the bathtub, soaping a meditative foot and singing...it would be deceiving my public to say that I was feeling boomps-a-daisy.From Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit, by P.G. Wodehouse Wodehouse, whose work also includes many other effective uses of  grammar  and  sentence structure, transfers his meditative feeling to the foot he is soaping. He even makes clear that hes really describing his own feelings of melancholy by noting that he could not say he was feeling boomps-a-daisy (wonderful or happy). Indeed,  it was he who  was feeling meditative, not his foot. In the next line, silence  cannot be discreet. Silence is a concept indicating a lack of sound. It has no intellectual capacity. Its clear that the author and his companions were being discreet by staying silent. Were coming close to those little creeks now, and we keep a discreet silence.From Rio San Pedro, by Henry Hollenbaugh Expressing Feelings In this 1935 letter to fellow British poet and novelist Stephen Spender, essayist/poet/playwright T.S. Eliot  employs a transferred epithet to make his feelings clear: You dont really criticize any author to whom you have never surrendered yourself...Even just the  bewildering minute  counts. Eliot is expressing his vexation, probably to criticism of him or some of his works. Its not the minute that is bewildering, but rather, its Eliot who feels that the criticism is bewildering and likely unwarranted. By calling the minute bewildering, Eliot was trying to elicit empathy from Spender, who as a fellow writer, would likely have understood his frustrations. Transferred Epithets vs. Personification Dont confuse transferred epithets with personification,  a figure of speech  in which an inanimate object or abstraction is given human qualities or abilities.  One of literatures best examples of personification is a descriptive line from the poem Fog by acclaimed American poet  Carl Sandburg: The fog comes on little cat feet.†Ã‚   Fog doesnt have feet. Its vapor. Fog cant come, as in walk, either. So, this quote gives fog qualities it cannot have—little feet and the ability to walk. The use of personification helps to paint a mental picture in the readers mind of the fog stealthily creeping in.

Nature vs Nurture Essay - 778 Words

Nature vs Nurture Most of us have an intuition that, although our genes provide advantages and constraints, we retain great control over our lives. However, we are developing a second, competing intuition that, like it or not, our genes determine our abilities, our preferences, and our emotions. We would like to think we are much more than the sum of our genes, but scientists have apparently demonstrated that our genes determine some of our most complex behavioral and cognitive characteristics. The focus on genes as the primary mode of biological explanation has been especially clear in the marketing of the Human Genome Project. In support of this project, Robert L. Sinsheimer, biologist and former chancellor at the University of†¦show more content†¦1987), and alcoholism (Gelernter et al. 1991). Authors of two studies claiming to have found a gene for manic-depression (in two different places), have both published retractions of their conclusions (Barron et al. 1993, Kelsoe et al. 1989), unusual and embarrassing events among scientists. Research in linking genes to complex human mental and behavioral characteristics has been tremendously successful in molding public opinion, in he absence of much lasting scientific evidence. The relationship between a gene and a human behaviour is rarely, if ever, a one-to-one correspondence, even though disruption of a single gene occasionally has a dramatic effect on behaviour. Nor can one quantify the contribution of genes as a whole to any particular behavior or cognitive ability. Instead, each gene is a single player in an intricate story, involving non-additive interactions of genes, proteins, hormones, food and life experiences, thus leading to effects one variety of cognitive and behavioural functions. Our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors certainly have biological mechanisms, but this does not mean we can separate and quantify the genetic contributions to these processes. References: Baron, M., N. Risch, R. Hamburger, B. Mandel, S. Kushner, M.Newman, D. Drumer, and R.H. Belmaker. 1987. Genetic Linkage Between X-Chromosome Markers and BipolarShow MoreRelatedNature Vs Nurture : Is The Nature Or Nurture?1300 Words   |  6 PagesAoS 3: Student Directed Research Investigation Unit 1 Psychology - Megan Rodrigues RESEARCH QUESTION How is the nature vs nurture debate related to a consideration of the mental disorder, schizophrenia? INTRODUCTION Schizophrenia is categorized by thoughts or experiences that seem abnormal with reality, disorganized speech or behaviour and decreased participation in regular daily activities. Difficulty with memory and concentration are sometimes also present. 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George Washington And Thomas Jefferson - 2172 Words

John Adams (1735-1826) has the historically unfortunate position of being president between two American icons, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. His presidency is often overlooked by scholars and even occasionally viewed as an undeserving president who won the office out of early American political maneuvering (McCullough 2001, 29). Nonetheless, he led the young nation during the end of the French Revolution and the emergence of Napoleon Bonaparte, a globally tumultuous period. The nation, and the world, has changed dramatically since the end of the eighteenth century. However, the domestic and foreign concerns that Adams had to manage and attempt to resolve are still relevant to current circumstances. Even though Adams only served one term over 200 years ago, through an analysis of his background, personality, presidential leadership and managerial style, and his interactions with Congress and the American people, a twenty-first century incoming president is able to learn fro m Adams’ mistakes and triumphs. Life Before the Presidency John Adams was raised in a Puritan household in colonial Massachusetts during the eighteenth century. Although not a deeply religious or pious man, the Puritan values of selfless service, modesty, and unflinching dedication were deeply instilled into Adams at a young age and would have lasting impacts on his personality and work ethic throughout his life (McCullough 2001, 54). After attending Harvard, Adams launched his legal careerShow MoreRelatedGeorge Washington, John Adams, And Thomas Jefferson1322 Words   |  6 PagesGeorge Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. 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American Ballet Theatre free essay sample

Agnes de Mille:She was an American dancer and choreographer. De Mille began her association with the fledgling American Ballet Theatre (then called the Ballet Theatre) in 1939, but her first significant work, Rodeo (1942) with the score by Aaron Copland, was staged for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Although de Mille continued to choreograph nearly up to the time of her death—her final ballet, The Other, was completed in 1992—most of her later works have dropped out of the ballet repertoire. Besides Rodeo, two other de Mille ballets are performed on a regular basis, Three Virgins and a Devil (1934) adapted from a tale by Giovanni Boccaccio, and Fall River Legend (1948) based on the life of Lizzie Borden. Jerome Robbins:He was an American theater producer, director, and choreographer known primarily for Broadway Theater and Ballet/Dance. Among the numerous stage productions he worked on were On the Town, Peter Pan, High Button Shoes, The King And I, The Pajama Game, Bells Are Ringing, West Side Story, Gypsy: A Musical Fable, and Fiddler on the Roof. We will write a custom essay sample on American Ballet Theatre or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Robbins is a five time Tony Award winner and a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. Joffrey Ballet:Founded as a touring company in 1956, it was based in New York City until 1995. The company is now headquartered in Joffrey Tower. 1956, a time during which most touring companies performed only reduced versions of ballet classics, Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino formed a unique six-dancer ensemble that toured the country in a station wagon pulling a U-Haul trailer, performing original ballets that were created by Robert Joffrey. While Joffrey stayed in New York City to teach ballet classes and earn money to pay the dancers salaries, Gerald Arpino led the troupe across Americas heartland. The ensembles first performance in a major city occurred in Chicago in 1957. The Joffrey Ballet originally settled down in New York City, originally named the Robert Joffrey Theatre Ballet. In 1962, modern choreographer Alvin Ailey was invited to make a work for the company. Rebekah Harkness was an important early benefactor and she made international touring possible (Soviet Union, 1963).