Literary Composition Research Articles

Fiat or Finesse: Tang Emperor Taizong’s Use of Poems as Gifts

This article investigates how Tang Emperor Taizong 唐太宗 (Li Shimin 李世民, 599–649; r. 626–649), one of the most highly regarded rulers of imperial China, used poems as gifts to achieve his political agendas. It explores three shi 詩 and two fu 賦 poems in the context of Taizong’s rise to power, his relationship with his ministers, and his goal to consolidate the newly founded empire. By discussing the nuances of those poetic gifts and how Taizong used them as a way to strengthen his ties with his ministers and legitimize himself and his reign, the article aims to contribute to our understanding of the subtle workings of the game of power under Taizong’s rule as well as the wider scholarship on the literary composition practices of rulers and the roles and uses of literature in court settings in medieval China.

Lo profano en la vida del Salvador: las mujeres en la genealogía de Jesús (Mt. 1: 1-16)

In the genealogy of Jesus, the importance of women is highlighted in the Gospel of Matthew, women who have had a relevant history in the historical and literary composition of the people of Israel. However, many times it is taken over or not much attention is paid to what those names highlighted in the genealogy of Jesus imply, mainly, the characteristic and specific genealogy in the text of Matthew. Therefore, in this text we will try to give a more detailed vision of the women of the genealogy that appear in the Evangelist, to later add an emancipatory interpretation that the text allows us to give, through feminist hermeneutics and some contributions given by the author. of this text.

‘Christian notes sound sweetest suffering’: birds, books and textual circulation in Sir John Gibson’s commonplace book (BL Add 37719)

ABSTRACT A growing body of scholarship has worked to recover the vocal dimensions of early modern reading and the effects of aural reading cultures on literary composition. Where these studies have focused on the relationship between the human voice and early modern texts, this article examines how the seventeenth-century royalist prisoner Sir John Gibson deploys early modern ideas about birds and birdsong as he seeks consolation through the material and textual processes of literary composition, manuscript compilation, and epistolary exchange. These efforts are evident in his physical and imaginative construction of his miscellany (BL Add 37719) as possessing bird-like capacities for movement and communication. While Gibson’s miscellany does draw on familiar seventeenth-century ideas about music and the human voice, I argue that his invocations of birds and birdsong produce intriguing and powerful claims for the ways written texts can extend the capabilities of the human voice and body.

The Shelters of Imagination: Logos, Franklin Street, St Peters, Marion and The Dreamhouse

‘The Shelters of Imagination’ is a series of five poems, ‘Logos’, ‘Franklin Street’, ‘St Peters’, ‘Marion’, and ‘The Dreamhouse’, which explore the relationship between a writer’s place and the phenomenological aspects of literary composition. Each poem examines how a place from which I have written has impacted, driven, or impinged on the poetic imagination. These poems destabilise the boundary between where the material world the writer inhabits ends, and the fringe of poetic imagination begin. These poems are heavily informed by Gaston Bachelard’s The Poetics of Space (1964) where he examines the relationship between place and the phenomenology of poetic imagination. Along with creative engagement with Bachelard’s writings, auto-ethnographic reflections from my recent relocation from Sydney to Adelaide are woven through these poems as they move from the sterile cityscape, to a garden-lined eco-flat shaped like a chapel in St Peters, towards the rural sites of an artist residency space in the Adelaide Hills, and then conclude with a meditation on the imagined space.

Thomas Davis’ “The Sack of Baltimore”: A Literary-Historical Perspective

This article is an attempt to read Thomas Davis’ poem “The Sack of Baltimore” (1845) from a literary-historical perspective. It explores Davis’ representation of the sack of Baltimore village, West Cork, Ireland as a historical event depicted from a literary angle. A typical nineteenth-century historical Irish ballad, “The Sack of Baltimore” has not only remained at the margins of literary studies, but even where it has received attention, it has mainly been treated as a historical source material on an Algerian piratical raid that has come to be called “the sack of Baltimore”. This paper proposes that we need to reread the Irish poet’s narrative poem with a stronger interest both in its literary composition and historical contexts. Only in this way would it be possible to do justice and draw more sustained attention to this hitherto understudied lyrical narrative poem.

A Revisionist Account of the Campū

Abstract The Sanskrit word campū is usually understood to refer to a literary composition that combines prose and verse. I argue that this sense of the word was not available before the tenth century CE, and the vast majority of compositions that have been called campūs, either in premodern commentaries or in modern scholarship, were not and could not have been so called by their authors. This is true of almost the entirety of so-called “campū literature” in Kannada. The reference to campū as “a particular type of composition consisting of prose and verse” in Daṇḍin’s Mirror of Literature (ca. 700 CE) was probably not a definition, despite the fact that it has almost-universally been taken as such by the tradition of Indian poetics and modern scholarship. I propose that the campū might have originated as a subliterary comic performance, and that Daṇḍin (unknowingly) and Trivikramabhaṭṭa (knowingly) helped to establish the now- familiar sense of the word.

«SITUATIONAL TIME» IN HISTORICAL EPICS

Conceptual research stands as a cornerstone in uncovering linguocultural values and the collective psyche of diverse peoples, offering profound insights into their worldview. This article endeavors to unveil the manifestation of temporal context within historical epics, deeply intertwined with the epochs and narratives of the respective societies. The study seeks to elucidate the collective consciousness and societal understanding prevalent during the periods under study, achieved through an analysis of linguistic expressions denoting temporal concepts within historical poetic texts. Drawing upon scholarly evidence, the article delineates the mechanisms and distinctive attributes characterizing the portrayal of situational time within historical epics. It underscores the prominent role of grammatical constructs, particularly the active utilization of the verb's grammatical category, in conveying temporal nuances. Furthermore, linguistic analysis reveals the pivotal role of the temporal dimension in discerning historical veracity within these literary compositions. The scholarly significance of this research lies in its theoretical contributions to cognitive linguistics, linguoculturology, and the study of linguistic folklore. Additionally, the practical implications extend to educational contexts, offering enriching content for specialized courses such as "Linguistic Folklore Studies," "Cognitive Linguistics," and "Linguoculturology," thereby fostering a deeper understanding of temporal dynamics within cultural narratives. Key words: concept, cognition, historical epic, linguistic unity, time, situational time, grammatical category

Literary Artists on Sustainable Development : A Critical Study of English Literature.

Abstract Modern human beings who have been enjoying enormous benefits of science and technology are very much concerned with environmental issues and sustainable development. In various fields development has been being done but a question peeps in mind whether that development in a true sense is sustainable or not. Again the existing external environment is being threatened by the rapid progress in the name of development. It creates a conflict between the better environment and the rapid scientific and technological development. It prompts the social thinkers, scientists , technologists , philosophers and even the writers who review the situation in the world and try to find out a suitable solution to come out of the crisis. Normally it is not expected that the literary writers would talk about new scientific inventions. But the impact of new inventions on human society is very much tracable in the literary compositions mainly of the Victorian and Modern British authors. We may give a fresh look into the literary works of William Wordsworth , Lord Tennyson, Mathew Arnold , T.S.Eliot and others about their thoughts concerned with development. The objective of the research paper is to explore the ideas of these writers in connection with so called environmental issues and sustainable development. These writers have hinted that the external development by the rampant use of science and technology perhaps cannot develop human society in real sense. Rather the so called development has put human society in new troubles in the psychic world.

The Development of Flexible Ensemble in Thailand

Flexible ensemble is the arrangement that allows the selection of instruments for the instrumentation in order to overcome the problem of a small wind orchestra that cannot be performed with a combination of instruments according to the score for a standard big wind orchestra, or in the case of a wind orchestra where the exact number of musicians or types of instruments cannot be determined. Flexible ensemble is therefore another innovation that helps the teaching and performing management of a wind orchestra to be smooth and efficient, both in managing musicians for rehearsals and music performances. The purpose of this article is to provide the reader's understanding of flexible ensemble and to encourage their use and appreciation of its significance in order to produce musical literary compositions in the form of flexible bands with numerous variations in the future.

“Russian Emigres in Volynia during the Reign of Ivan IV”

Abstract In this superb monograph, based upon monumental archival and manuscript research, Konstantin Erusalimskii explores the lives and cultural contributions of Muscovite emigres during the reign of Ivan IV to Volynia, part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and then the Kingdom of Poland. Through case studies of the most prominent emigres, above all Prince Andrei Kurbskii, Erusalimskii examines their social consciousness and cultural contributions, both literary compositions and translation projects. The emigres did not think of themselves as traitors. They remained and were treated by indigenous subjects of Poland-Lithuania as outsiders, “Muscovites.” Among numerous original conclusions Erusalimskii argues that publicist Ivan Peresvetov and printer Ivan Fedorov were one and the sane man, introduces an original, signed letter in Polish from Kurbskii to Herzog Albrecht von Hohenzollern of Brandenburg, and portrays Kurbskii as a Renaissance historian.

Shanti and Second Birth: S. Radhakrishnan on Literature, Art and Spiritual Values


 Radhakrishnan, as a visionary educationist in his writings, has been a chief votary of the ideal of Gyanam -Vigyanam sahitam, meaning wisdom and the sciences go together. This paper investigates the thoughts of S. Radhakrishnan on how literature and art give a second birth in the spirit through wisdom. He holds that great works of literature and art give a spiritual birth regarded as a second birth in Indian culture. Once born in the vision of the spirit, Buddhi, that is, intelligence, works on the light of spirit, spiritual value or truth, stabilizing the mind, a zone of thoughts and feelings. A stable mind thus becomes divine by spiritual insight and vision. Literary compositions and arts born out of this state lend a person in Shanti tranquillity, a clear and pure mind capable of spiritual vision. Thus, writers and artists create the minds of the people and the nation.

Systematic Review of Literature of a Critique of the Representation of Muslim Women in the Works of Selected Indian Muslim Women Novelists

Purpose: An overview of Muslim women in selected Indian English novelists' works. The majority of Muslim women writers' works have been interpreted based on pre-existing notions. Muslim women authors face unique limitations. Muslim women authors are similarly biased, as they are trained to adhere to specific literary conventions. This literature survey attempts to demonstrate the strength of the Muslim women authors' voices as underlined in the critical reviews. Objectives: This research attempts to examine the voice of Muslim women expressing their desire to free themselves from the shackles of conventions as expressed in literary compositions. With words as their most powerful weapon, these free-thinking writers have emerged from their conservative cocoons and are ready to take on the world. There is a wide range of perspectives on Muslim ideology and identity in the books reviewed. Design/Methodology/Approach: The Review of Literature is carried out with the secondary data gathered from educational websites and written publications. The research will be undertaken using Research Journals, Doctoral Thesis, and Websites. This Qualitative Research is carried out by studying and interpreting existing material on the subject using the keywords representation of Muslim women, perspective, horizon, and customized constraints. Findings /Results: Reviewing Muslim women writers as feminists and trend-setters, rather than simply as Muslim women, this literary analysis sheds a new light on their works and perspectives on the genre. There are no limits to what this Review of Literature is trying to say about a liberated woman writer. Originality/ Value: This review of literature gives Muslim women writers' identities and social responsibilities a direct voice by allowing their words to speak for them. It gives a good account of the authors and their comprehension of fact and fiction. Paper Type: A review paper.

Золотое сечение в римском эпосе (на материале «Фиваиды» Стация)

Golden section poetic phenomena studies comprise a wide range of topics, starting from basic prosodic elements to the work’s entire composition structure. The primary purpose of this paper is to establish the connection between the golden section and the literary composition and form and to analyze it on the material of the episode of aristeia and katabasis of Amphiaraus in Statius’ “Thebaid” (VII, 690–823). The following objectives are included: to define and measure the segments of the golden section; to determine the marking points dividing the segments which, as a rule, contain salient features — literary devices, hero’s speech, poet’s apostrophe etc.; to identify the functions and role of the golden section in the episode’s composition. The methodology uses general scientific methods such as philological textual analysis and mathematical tools. The supportive research is grounded on parallel comparison of episodic structure, framed by visual techniques and segment dividing points. It is observed that proportional segmentation is achieved by typical epic techniques such as epitaph or catalogue of victims serving the closing part of the narrative. As for the simile’s structural functions, they mark the poetic period by opening and, more frequently, ending it and highlight the culmination moments functioning similar to the hero’s speeches. The overall examination concludes that the golden section in “Thebaid” manifests itself with striking precision in relation to separate parts and to the whole poem as well. Similarly, it applies to corresponding stages of emotional tension and moments of culmination and the correlating literary devices and techniques. The utilization of the golden section provides the symmetrical composition and the triadic structure of the episode, demonstrating the poetic skillfulness of Statius and mastery of attracting the reader’s attention to the most significant points.

Sri Lankan Anglophone Literature as a Mode for Dialogue and Reconciliation in the Portrayal of War in Sri Lanka (1983-2009)

From ancient times, war has played a main role in the lives of people and has been a major theme for literature, history, and as well as for political discourses. The period between 1983-2009 marks the war that took place in Sri Lankan history, which impacted the country politically, culturally, and economically. The realms of Sri Lankan English, Sinhala, and Tamil literature also went through change during this period, and many fiction, poems, dramas, and films were composed in response to the war both during and in its aftermath. The Sri Lankan Anglophone writers: residential authors as well as authors of the diaspora portray the war through their literary compositions. This critical literature review examines the role Anglophone literature plays as a mode for dialogue and reconciliation in the portrayal of war. Above ten studies conducted on Sri Lankan Anglophone literature and its role in portraying war published between 1992 and 2020 were reviewed. The findings of the review indicate that many scholars consider Sri Lankan Anglophone literature as a platform that plays a significant role as a mode for dialogue and reconciliation while some consider it as literature composed by the English-speaking class for its own class. This review concludes that the Sri Lankan Anglophone literature plays a substantial role as a medium for dialogue and reconciliation in the portrayal of war in Sri Lanka (1989-2003).

The place of the voice in Virgil’s Eclogues and in Holly Pester’s Eclogues for Idle Workers

This essay identifies, analyses and works through a particular function of voice in Virgil’s Eclogues and Holly Pester’s Eclogues for Idle Workers: its way of creating place, while remaining itself unplaceable. The place simultaneously created and disrupted, or fled from, in both works, is the work place, which is also, in both works, the place of literary composition. The essay traces the implications of considering the voice thus as a point of generative disturbance through the two sets of Eclogues, introducing examples from Lypsinka and Sunset Blvd., as well as from Catullus’ and Horace’s Carmina, Virgil’s Aeneid and the folk song The Butcher and the Chambermaid as performed by A.L. Lloyd. I argue that the voice is present in both texts as an impersonal and alienating force, drawing on Mladen Dolar’s construction of every emission of the voice as ‘by its essence ventriloquism’, and on Denise Riley’s concept of the auto-ventriloquy of ‘inner voice’ (one does not speak, but is spoken). In Virgil’s Eclogues this force functions to create the place of song, while in Pester it allows its subjects to ‘live’ in the spaces and moments of endless deferral that make up workplace-time. The relation thus created between place and voice is one of mutual dependency, meaning that for Virgil, the displacement of the herdsman Moeris is the destruction of his song, and for Pester, that Magatha and Terry must speak their departure before it can be realised, and both the work and the poem can be brought to an end. 

Stylistic Syntax of the Middle French Poetical Literary Composition

Stylistic Syntax of the Middle French Poetical Literary Composition

Deconstructive Narratives, Decreasing Doublets, Deceptive Cadences, and the Design of Circles: Strategies for Building a Closure in the Arabian Nights

While the beginning of the frame narrative in The Thousand and One Nights has generated many interpretations, its ending has gone almost unnoticed. This article discusses various narrative strategies for constructing an ending. The examples are taken from a corpus of texts consisting of the Arabic collection Alf layla wa-layla (“The Thousand and One Nights”) as it existed in the 9th/15th century and the so-called “orphan stories,” the tales Ḥannā Diyāb (c. 1688 – after 1763) told to Antoine Galland (1646–1715), who published them in expanded form in volumes nine through twelve of his Mille et une nuit[s]. It is argued that The Thousand and One Nights are by no means an arbitrary compilation of stories. On the contrary, they are a carefully crafted literary composition. This is particularly evident in the way of constructing narrative closures which create a feeling of satisfactory completion. This is demonstrated by pointing to narrative devices discovered in literary studies of works of the highest stratum of world literatures. It also advocates studying the work in its original form, the text of which has yet to be reconstructed.

Echoes of T. S. Eliot’s Political Ideas in Contemporary Political Thought

As a distinguished poet, essayist, and literary critic, T. S. Eliot’s works delve into intricate societal quandaries, cultural decline, and the trials of modern civilization. This research paper endeavours to identify and analyse the core political concepts and philosophical perspectives expounded by Eliot throughout his poetry, essays, and other literary compositions on contemporary political thought. Key areas of investigation encompasses Eliot’s notion of tradition and its impact on individual character and how it resonates with political institutions and governance, influencing stability and continuity; his critical examination of modern society, rapid industrialization, and urbanization, and its alignment or divergence from other political thinkers of his time; the intersection of Eliot’s religious beliefs, particularly his conversion to Anglicanism, with his political views, moral principles, and notions of governance; his perspectives on authority, power structures, and the role of government, exploring the responsibilities vested in those in positions of power; his scepticism towards democratic governance and preference for an elite ruling class, relevant to contemporary debates on democracy and meritocracy; his writings on nationalism and cosmopolitanism, unveiling his views on balancing national identity and global cooperation; his conservative inclinations and cautious approach towards societal change, with implications for present-day political movements and debates on progress. The study reveals profound insights into tradition, religion, authority, and governance, providing valuable perspectives for contemporary political discourse. Eliot’s works continue to resonate as a thought-provoking and influential force in shaping the understanding of politics in the present day.

O Conto do Náufrago (P. Hermitage 1115) - tradução comentada

Papyrus Hermitage 1115 contains one of the most complete literary compositions of the Pharaonic period. The text presents the narrative about a sailor who is shipwrecked on a fantastic island and, after his return to Egypt, had the opportunity to tell his story in his old age. In this article, we present a translation and a commentary of the Shipwrecked Sailor, with the hieroglyphic text, the transliteration, and an updated historical context on the Egyptian geopolitics during the Middle Kingdom (c.2055-1650 BCE). An Egyptian-Portuguese glossary concludes the work.

The Vanity Theme and Critical Wisdom in Mesopotamian Literature

Abstract The heading “vanity theme” has been attributed to various Sumerian and Akkadian literary compositions that would represent a form of wisdom critical of traditional values. The present article revises those compositions arguing that they do not propound a critical view of traditional wisdom but simply reflect on the finitude of human nature. Critical wisdom only surfaces in a limited number of compositions mostly attested in Middle Babylonian sources. The vanity theme is not only tied to critical views of traditional values but is a flexible literary motif that was adapted to different contexts and compositions.