Definition of Polysyndeton
Polysyndeton is a linguistic technique that defines the successive conjunctions of clauses, phrases, or words in a phrase. The term derives from two Greek words, poly meaning many and syndeton, meaning bound together with; in other words, polysyndeton is the use of conjunctions, particularly ‘and,’ ‘or,’ ‘but,’ and ‘nor’ to link numerous items. This term is contradicted with asyndeton, where the conjunctions are intentionally omitted.
Polysyndeton can be used for various purposes in writing. It can be used to express the inclusion of many items to have an effect of overwhelming detail or to show that all the items are equally important in the list. It can also affect the flow of a sentence, causing the reader to really pay attention to each part of the sentence.
Common Examples of Polysyndeton
Polysyndeton is usually used in everyday language, literature, speeches and various forms of the writing to add stress and create a particular mood. Here are some common examples:
In Everyday Language:
- “I need to buy bread and milk and eggs and cheese.”
In Speeches:
- The speech of Winston Churchill: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
In Legal Language:
- “The contract must be signed by the buyer, the seller, and the witness.”
Examples of Polysyndeton in Literature
Polysyndeton is a dominant tool in the literature. It is employed by the writers to increase the expressive quality of the texts. Here are some significant examples of polysyndeton from the literary works:
Example#1
“Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare
“And sure enough he got up and walked away; and as he passed me by, he smiled, and it was such a sweet smile, and I wondered how could it be that he should care for a girl like me.”
In the excerpt, the writer uses polysyndeton by repeating the word “and”. It emphasizes each action and reaction, as well as the speaker’s passion and focus. The flow of the text is smooth and the language is rather colloquial; it reflects the manner in which a person tells a story.
This technique makes the flow of the events in the story slower, which enables the reader to focus on each aspect, thus adding a strong emotional appeal. The use of polysyndeton also captures the speaker’s sense of wonder and disbelief, which action leads to the final pondering of the self, emphasizing the unexpected kindness and interest shown by the other person.
Example#2
“A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens
“There were frowzy fields, and cow-houses, and dunghills, and dustheaps, and ditches, and gardens, and summer-houses, and carpet-beating grounds, at the very door of the Railway Hotel.”
The employment of polysyndeton in the excerpt helps to build a picture that is rather detailed and overwhelming. The use of the conjunction “and” in this case, connects all the aspects in the list, stressing the many different surroundings. This technique summarizes the reader’s attention to each particular feature, which creates a detailed and disorderly description of the territory around the Railway Hotel.
The polysyndeton affects the reading speed, and the reader is forced to look at the described clutter and disorder. It amplifies the sensory experience, thus, creating the disorder and chaos that is evident in the given setting.
This example of polysyndeton helps the reader to feel as if he or she is standing in the hotel while simultaneously drawing attention to the way in which the hotel is uncharacteristically untidy.
Example#3
“After the Storm” by Ernest Hemingway
“I said, ‘Who killed him?’ and he said, ‘I don’t know who killed him but he’s dead all right,’ and it was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights or windows broke and boats all up in the town and trees blown down and everything all blown and I got a skiff and went out and found my boat where I had her inside Mango Key and she was all right only she was full of water.”
In this excerpt, the use of polysyndeton can be observed through the repeated use of the conjunction “and” to connect a number of activities and states.
This literary device sets a tone of hurry and confusion, which is quite appropriate for the description of the given scene. Each conjunction makes the reader break down the specific elements of the scene; the darkness, standing water, lack of lights, damaged boats and trees, destruction.
The polysyndeton creates a pause that helps the reader grasp the severity of the situation, as well as the speaker’s effort to make sense of the surrounding chaos. This technique helps bring the reader closer to the action and increase the world’s sense of chaos and disorder that the speaker is experiencing.
Example#4
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived, no thin five-piece affair, but a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums.”
With the use of polysyndeton in this description, Fitzgerald is stressing the opulence of Gatsby’s party. The repeated use of “and” focuses on the richness and the variety of the musical instruments, which contributes to the luxurious imagery.
Example#5
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” By Maya Angelou
“Let the white folks have their money and power and segregation and sarcasm and big houses and schools and lawns like carpets, and books, and mostly–mostly–let them have their whiteness.”
The writer employs the polysyndeton structure, which shows several privileges and possessions that are related to being white. The use of these conjunctions emphasizes that the structure of society and its institutions are racists and that discrimination is a part of people’s everyday lives and experiences.
Example#6
“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy
“He walked out in the gray light and stood and he saw for a brief moment the absolute truth of the world. The cold relentless circling of the intestate earth. Darkness implacable. The blind dogs of the sun in their running. The crushing black vacuum of the universe. And somewhere two hunted animals trembling like ground foxes in their cover. Borrowed time and borrowed world and borrowed eyes with which to sorrow it.”
In this excerpt, Cormac McCarthy deploys the technique of polysyndeton through the use of the conjunction ‘and’ which really brings out the desperate, dreary, unending struggle of the characters in ‘The Road’. It increases the intensity of the rhythm of the prose and attests to the severity of the conditions in the post-apocalyptic world.
See also: Literary Devices That Start With P
See also: Themes in A Noiseless Patient Spider
Importance of Polysyndeton
Polysyndeton performs significant functions in the writing. It enhances the effectiveness and emotional impact of a text:
1- Emphasis and Focus
Conjunctions allow connecting an unknown quantity of elements to produce the effect of polysyndeton; this causes focusing on every aspect linked with the help of conjunctions. This technique makes it possible for every segment in the list to be highlighted and considered critical, with no exemption.
2- Rhythm and Pace
Polysyndeton has an impact on the structure, pace and rhythm of the sentence. The repetition of conjunctions can disrupt the flow of the reader which can cause him to stop at each conjunction and thoroughly analyze the word or phrase which in turn can intensify the message being conveyed in the passage.
3- Creating a Sense of Overwhelm
The employment of multiple conjunctions results in the creation of a tone that is filled with abundance, oversaturation, and an overwhelming detail. It is applicable especially with descriptions or narratives which the writer wishes to invoke a feeling of being overwhelmed with information and emotions.
4- Enhancing Realism
In dialogue especially, polysyndeton paints the real picture of how people speak and hence makes the characters to sound like real people. Conjunctions in specific are frequently found being repeated within conversations mainly when the speaker is frustrated, emotional or just wants to pass many pieces of information to the listener at one instance.
5- Adding Dramatic Effect
It is also very effective in the level of drama that it brings into a passage particularly in speeches and the rhetorical sort of writing. The texts that contain many conjunctions seem more passionate and more insistent in their message, and therefore are less likely to be forgotten.
See also: She Walks in Beauty Themes & Poetic Devices
Literary Devices Related to Polysyndeton
1- Asyndeton
Asyndeton is the complete omission of conjunctions between the word, phrase or clause. This device makes a more definite, prompt and forceful statement. For example, Julius Caesar’s famous quote: “I came, I saw, I conquered”. In this example, the non-presence of “and” becomes the line much stronger and direct.
Comparison with Polysyndeton: However, distinct from polysyndeton which joins words with multiple conjunctions aiming at the endless series of references, asyndeton tend to eliminate conjunctions to make the sequence brief and intense. Both devices affect the rhythm and the very impact of the sentence; although used for similar purpose, they act in opposite manners.
2- Anaphora
Anaphora is a figure of speech whereby the same word or phrase is used to begin the consecutive clauses as well as the sentences. This device is usually applied to the achievement of emphasis and meter in a text.
For example, Martin Luther King Jr. ’s “I Have a Dream” speech: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed…. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia. .. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi. .. ”
However, in the given example, the phrase ‘I have a dream’ at the start of each clause is actually used to present King’s vision and the semantic structure. It brings out the major theme and makes the speech more effective. Moreover, it adds emphasis to the message being given.
Anaphora can be described as a form of parallel syntax that is based on the repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of clauses, polysyndeton is much more aligned with the repetition of the conjunctions. Both devices help to improve the rhythm and stress in the text; however, they achieve this in different ways.
See also: Themes in Julius Caesar
