Anaphora and
Anastrophe
By: Megan Falcone and
Sam Hirkaler
What is Anaphora?
əˈnaf(ə)rə
a·naph·o·ra
Anaphora is the repetition of a word or
phrase at the beginning of successive
clause.
Anaphora In Literature
Shakespeare’s “Richard II” Act 2 Scene 1: Repetition of the word “This” at the
beginning of each phrase:
“This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,
This nurse, this teeming womb of royal kings [. . .]
This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land,”
Anaphora In Literature
Charles Dicken’s “A Tale of Two Cities” Repetition of “it was”
before each sentence:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it
was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of
Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
Original Examples:
“Her eyes were blue. Her eyes were glistening. Her eyes were his guiding light.”
Anaphora: Repetition of “her eyes were”
“Before the party was when it happened. Before the noise and commotion. Before
anyone knew what would happen.”
Anaphora: Repetition of “Before”
“She loved the way the pug looked at her with its big brown eyes. She loved the way
it fussed around her feet at night. She loved the way the pug was her’s.”
Anaphora: “She loved the way”
What is Anastrophe?
əˈnastrəfē a·nas·tro·phe
Anastrophe is a form of literary device wherein
the order of the noun and the adjective in the
sentence is exchanged. The noun comes after the
adjective.
Anastrophe Examples in Literature
Yoda, from ‘Star Wars’
“Good, it is. Strong in the force you are.”
“Persuade you, I shall.”
“Much to learn, you still have.”
Anastrophe Examples in Literature
Edgar Allan Poe’s, “The Raven”
“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing.”
Lewis Carroll’s, “The Jabberwocky”
“He took his vorpal sword in hand;
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree
And stood awhile in thought.”
Original Examples
Original: “I need you to go to the store and get milk and bread.”
Anastrophe: “Go to the store and get milk and bread I need you.”
Original: “She was not graceful or smart.”
Anastrophe: “Graceful or smart she was not.”
Original: “The man approached the gates of the estate.”
Anastrophe: “Approached the gates of the estate, the man did.”
informal bibliography
http://literary-devices.com/content/anastrophe
http://literarydevices.net/anaphora/