Mnemonics are significant techniques that provide aid in retaining and recalling the information. These tools are associated with the educational strategies, therefore, they contain significant existence in literature.
Definition of Mnemonic
A mnemonic is a technique or strategy that provides aid to the people to remember things. It derived from the Greek word “mnēmonikos”, which means “related to memory.”
Mnemonics may be rhymes, acronyms, visual images or patterns. They simplify the process of recalling complex information by associating it to something simple and familiar.
In literature, mnemonics are valid phrases, recurrent patterns, or specific images that assist readers in memorizing certain aspects of the story or topics.
The authors employ mnemonics to ensure long lasting impression on the minds, to intensify sentiments as well as make powerful imprints on the readers.
Function of Mnemonics
Mnemonics are commonly used to assist and aid memory by changing complex ideas into simple one.
Sometimes, they employ rhymes, patterns and acronyms to build associations that make the information easy to remember.
The writers use mnemonics to fortify important themes, character development and emotional resonance.
By incorporating the mnemonic techniques, the writers create interesting narratives and ensure that the significant ideas and messages should leave long lasting impression on the minds of the readers.
Mnemonic Examples in Literature
Example#1
“Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare
“But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou her maid art far more fair than she.”
The famous balcony scene of the play, wherein the author uses mnemonics through evocative imagery and metaphor.
The lines of Romeo, “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. / Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon” build a association between Juliet and the sun.
Here, the comparison of Juliet to the sun and the moon as envious and pale contains simple yet strong imagery that is easy to remember.
This metaphor indicates brightness and beauty of the Juliet. It contrasts with the sickly moon that reinforces her importance to Romeo.
The poetic and rhythmic pattern of these lines makes them memorable and enhances the emotional impact. It helps the readers to retain the quintessence of admiration of Romeo and love for Juliet.
See also: Examples of Meter in Literature
Example#2
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“‘Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more.”
Here, the writer uses mnemonics by employing rhyme, rhythm and repetition.
The phrases “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary” and “suddenly there came a tapping, / As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door” generates a rhythmical and melodic composition that makes the text momentous.
The repeating words “tapping” and “rapping” fortifies the superficial and resolute knocking, which draws the reader into the nostalgic nature of the poem.
This mnemonic device amplifies the mood of the poem. It helps the readers to maintain the key elements of the scene and setting the stage for the unfolding narrative.
Example#3
“Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville
“Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off—then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.”
The passage contains mnemonics through the concise and indelible introduction “Call me Ishmael.”
This is a simple and direct phrase, which performs as a powerful mnemonic device.
It establishes the identity of the narrator in a way that is easy for readers to remember.
The detailed and rhythmic description of the motivations of Ishmael for going to sea is reflected by the imagery such as “a damp, drizzly November in my soul” and “bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet”.
It strengthens the mood and tone of the narrative.
The repeated structure and sensory language build a memorable and appealing introduction.
It ensures that the readers remember Ishmael’s state of mind and the thrust for his journey.
This mnemonic approach builds the epic story that helps the readers to see things from the point of view of Ishmael.
See also: Examples of Mood in Literature
Example#4
“1984” by George Orwell
“War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength.”
The writer employs inconsistent slogans in the novel.
They serve as strong mnemonic devices. These conflicting phrases are outlined, so they can be easily recalled and repeated.
They summarize the themes of control, manipulation and the distortion of truth by the totalitarian regime. The simplicity and starkness of the slogans make them particularly memorable.
Example#5
“Animal Farm” by George Orwell
“Four legs good, two legs bad.”
Orwell employs a simple and repetitive slogan as a mnemonic device.
It expresses the initial revolutionary ideas of the animals in a way that is easy to remember.
As the story progresses, the slogan changes. It shows that how the original ideals are corrupted and manipulated.
The simplicity and rhythm of the slogan makes it significant and dominant.
Example#6
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
The writer employs the metaphor “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” as a mnemonic device, which expresses the main theme of the novel i.e. empathy and discernment.
The use of vivid imagery conveys the idea of observing the world from the view point of another person effectively.
The phrase is easy to remember because of its unique and distinct metaphor.
This make it a dynamic tool for the audience to embodies the moral lesson of Atticus Finch.
The use of mnemonic technique emphasizes the importance of affinity in the work and aids the readers to understand the important message of other person’s experiences.
See also: 100 Examples of Metaphor
Example#7
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
“If a body catch a body coming through the rye.’ It made me feel better. It made me feel not so depressed any more. I never did understand why that made me feel better so much. But it did. The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody’d move… Nobody’d be different. The only thing that would be different would be you. Not that you’d be so much older, but you’d be different, that’s all… The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody’d move.”
“If a body meet a body coming through the rye.’ Boy, it was nice to think about it, though. I mean about being the catcher in the rye and all.”
Holden Caulfield’s misunderstanding of the Robert Burns poem in “The Catcher in the Rye” acts as a mnemonic device.
It shows his wish to safeguard the innocence of the children.
The repetition of phrase throughout the novel indicates the focus of Holden on this ideal. The simple and emotional nature makes it a unforgettable part of the narrative.
These examples show that how mnemonics in literature may make key themes i.e. characters and ideas more significant and effectual.
By using evocative imagery, rhythm and repetition, the writers form phrases and passages that remain with the readers later they finish the book.
Related Literary Devices
1- Alliteration
Alliteration produces a rhythmic pattern that increases the memorability of a phrase. The repeated sounds make the readers enable to recall the text.
For instance, in “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, the phrase “while I pondered, weak and weary” contains alliteration. It creates a music affect that remains in the mind of the reader.
2- Repetition
Repetition emphasizes significant ideas and makes them easier to recall.
The repetition of phrases ensure that these elements stick out and remain with the reader.
For example, in the “Animal Farm”, the slogan “Four legs good, two legs bad” contains a mnemonic device.
Nutshell is that, mnemonics perform a pivotal role in literature by increasing the memory, crafting rhythm, fortifying themes, helping in character development and invoking emotional responses.
Mnemonics extend a unique way to convey complex ideas, emotions and themes in a manner that is accessible and overpowered.
By employing this technique, the writers create narratives that not only entertain but also leave a long lasting impact on the minds of the readers.
See also: Literary Devices That Start With M
