Contents
Foreword xxi
Preface xxiii
Acknowledgments xxv

INTRODUCTION 1
0.1??The ��lang.-lit.�� problem 1
0.2??A descriptive rhetoric 3
0.3??Poetic language and ��ordinary�� language 5
0.4??A possible misgiving 6
Notes 7

1??POETRY AND THE LANGUAGE OF PAST AND PRESENT 8
1.1??Varieties of English usage 8
1.2??Linguistic convention in poetry 12
Examples for discussion 19
Notes 22

2??THE CREATIVE USE OF LANGUAGE 23
2.1??The escape from banality 23
2.2??Two meanings of ��creative�� 24
2.3??The qualities of prose in poetry 25
2.4??Degrees of linguistic audacity 29
Examples for discussion 33
Notes 35

3??VARIETIES OF POETIC LICENCE 36
3.1??Anatomy of language 37
3.2??Types of deviation 42
3.3??Conclusion 52
Examples for discussion 53
Notes 54

4??FOREGROUNDING AND INTERPRETATION 56
4.1??Foregrounding 56
4.2??Interpretation 58
4.3??Parallelism 62
Examples for discussion 69
Notes 71

5??VERBAL REPETITION 73
5.1??Schemes and tropes 74
5.2??Formal repetitions 76
Examples for discussion 86
Notes 88

6??PATTERNS OF SOUND 89
6.1??Sound patterns within syllables 89
6.2??Sound patterns in relation to stress 91
6.3??��Music�� in poetry 93
6.4??The interpretation of sound patterns 95
Examples for discussion 100
Notes 102

7??METRE 103
7.1??Rhythm and metre 103
7.2??The rhythm of English 104
7.3??Metre and the line of verse 111
7.4??The interaction of rhythm and verse form 119
7.5??Grammar and metre 122
For discussion 128
Notes 128

8??THE IRRATIONAL IN POETRY 131
8.1??A logical view of meaning 131
8.2??Redundancy in poetry 136
8.3??Absurdity in poetry 140
8.4??Beyond reason and credibility 143
Examples for discussion 144
Notes 146

9??FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE 147
9.1??Transference of meaning 148
9.2??Aspects of metaphor 153
Examples for discussion 164
Notes 165

10??HONEST DECEPTIONS 166
10.1??Hyperbole and litotes 167
10.2??Irony 171
Examples for discussion 179
Notes 182

11??IMPLICATIONS OF CONTEXT 183
11.1??Licences of situation 184
11.2??The given situation 187
11.3??The ��world within the poem�� 189
11.4??Situation and action 199
11.5??Conclusion 201
Examples for discussion 202
Notes 204

12??AMBIGUITY AND INDETERMINACY 205
12.1??Kinds of ambiguity 205
12.2??Puns and word-play 209
12.3??Open interpretation 214
Examples for discussion 221
Notes 223

CONCLUSION 225
Notes 227
Suggestions for Further Reading 229
General Index 233
Index of Sources of Examples for Discussion 239