Parallel structure in poetry is a way of expressing ideas in a balanced and coherent manner. It involves repeating the same thought or element multiple times, giving the poem a uniform, deliberate flow. Writers and poets use parallel structure to add impact to their work by highlighting an important idea or keyword. Parallelism also creates rhythm and keeps readers engaged as they follow the same pattern and ideas.
In poetry, parallel structure usually means repeating the same grammatical structure in successive lines or stanzas. It can be implemented in different ways, such as repetition of a noun, verb, adjective or adverb. For example, in Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, he uses the parallel structure of repeating the verb “stopping” in the first four lines:
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
Frost also uses a parallel structure of rhyming the words “know”, “though”, “here”, “snow”. Rhyme gives his poem a musical quality, pulls readers in and creates an easier flow of words – a tool poets use to enhance their work.
Parallelism is not limited to grammatical structure; it also encompasses the use of metaphors, similes and poetic devices. Some of these are assonance – the repetition of vowel sounds, alliteration – the repetition of consonant sounds, and anaphora – repeating a word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses.
For example, in the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, he uses anaphora with the repetition of the word “I”:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
The repetition reinforces the idea that the speaker will look back on their decision in the future with a sense of regret. It creates an emotional and reflective mood.
In modern poetry, parallelism adds more depth to the writer’s intention and creates an alternative way of connecting ideas. For example, poets like Emily Dickinson and T.S. Eliot frequently layered their thoughts and employed a form of parallelism called homology, which is a pair of words related by their meanings.
Poe has also been known to use different forms of parallelism, such as in his poem “To Helen.” He states:
The fountains madden’d with their silvery,
And the flowers were bright with moisture;
The soft waves floated on the moon-light,
And the stars they shot their far rachets
The repetition of “silver” and “moonlight” creates a smooth flow of thoughts and enhances the description of the subject. He also uses parallelism in his repetition of onomatopoeia, with words like “madden’d” and “rachets”, to create a vivid sensation of the serene setting.
Overall, the use of parallel structure in poetic writing sets apart the author’s work and allows them to expand on a particular idea. It is a simple and effective way of expressing ideas without overwhelming the reader. Not all poems require parallel structure, but there is no denying that when implemented, it creates an air of beauty and effortlessness.
Types of Parallel Structure
There are various types of parallel structure that poets use when writing their verses. For example, there is syntactic parallelism which is the repetition of words in the same part of speech, such as in the following structure: “I sing, I dance, I laugh”. This type of structure serves to emphasize the ideas and actions following.
In addition, there is verbal parallelism which is the use of identical syllables in phrases or sentences. This type of structure is often seen in spiritual or sacred writings, where the repetition of certain words creates a sense of holiness and reverence.
Linguistic parallelism is another type of structure in which an idea or concept is repeated in various words or forms. For example, there is a phrase in the Hebrew Scriptures that states “you shall have no other gods before me” in which the idea of the almighty single god is repeated using a different form.
On the other hand, figural parallelism is where an idea is repeated in relation to a symbol. This is often seen in biblical writings where ideas are compared to animals or objects. For example, in the parable of the sower, there is a comparison between the seed and the kingdom of heaven.
Moreover, parallelism of mood is the use of like feelings to enhance a certain thought or idea. This type of structure has been widely utilized by poets such as Wordsworth, who in his poem The World is Too Much with Us states:
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Here, the poet repeats the idea of human frailty and wastefulness, emphasizing his idea.
In summary, there are various types of parallel structure which writers can use to communicate their ideas in a creative and meaningful way.
Uses of Parallel Structure
Parallel structure is frequently used in poetry to emphasize ideas and create balance between verses. It is used to create rhythm and draw attention to certain aspects of the poem.
In addition, parallelism is also used to create repetition and to give the poem emphasis. For example, David Herbert Lawrence’s poem “Snake” emphasizes the idea of human hypocrisy by repeating the phrase “but I didn’t”:
He moved in slow circles, rude and round,
I knew he wanted to say something, but
He didn’t. I was neither glad nor sorry,
But I didn’t defend him, But I didn’t.
This repetition encapsulates the poem’s main idea and creates a tone of disbelief and regret.
Parallelism is also used to give clues to the poem’s meaning by creating correlations between ideas. For example, in W.B. Yeats’s poem “The Second Coming”, he uses parallelism to compare past events to present events, creating a sense of foreboding by alluding to destruction:
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
Here, the poet compares the lack of conviction among the best to the passionate intensity of the worst. By repeating this idea, he paints a vivid picture of how the present world is more chaotic than the past.
In summary, parallelism is used to enhance the meaning of poems and works of literature by emphasizing ideas, creating correlations and drawing attention to certain aspects of the work.
Pros and Cons of Parallel Structure
Parallel structure has its pros and cons. On one hand, using this structure for poetic writing creates an easy flow in the poem and enhances ideas and emotions. On the other hand, it only works when used correctly and can be tedious and monotonous if not done properly.
Some of the pros of using a parallel structure are that it can create beautiful rhythm, balance and symmetry. For example, in Langston Hughes’s poem Dreams, he uses repetition of the words “hold fast” within two contrasting stanzas to emphasize his message:
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
In this poem, the idea of “holding fast to dreams” is repeated, but in the second stanza, the image changes from a living bird to a lifeless field, emphasizing the idea of hope. The repetition creates a sense of balance, leading the reader from one image to the next.
One of the cons is that parallelism can be overused, creating a monotonous writing style. For example, in Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson, the poet utilizes the same three lines for each four stanzas, repeating the phrase “so finely bred” and “richer than a king”. The repetition of words and ideas makes the poem seem bland, making the poet’s intention less effective.
In summary, while the use of parallel structure in poetry has its advantages, it can also be abused, making the poem mundane and tedious. The key is to know when and how to properly utilize it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, parallel structure in poetry is used to emphasize ideas, create structure and add beauty to a poem. It is an effective way of expressing ideas without overwhelming the reader or losing the attention of the audience. Although it can be abused, when used correctly, it can be a great way to enhance the meaning of a poem.
