Glossary
Alienation
A feeling of isolation or estrangement from society, a group, or oneself, often experienced by characters who feel disconnected from their surroundings.
Example:
The protagonist's sense of alienation is evident in their weariness of urban life and consumerism, feeling detached from the world around them.
Alusión (Allusion)
An indirect or subtle reference to a person, place, event, or literary work, often used to add depth or meaning without explicit explanation.
Example:
The poem's alusión to 'law clerks' and 'nuns' subtly references figures of authority and tradition, which the protagonist wishes to challenge.
Antítesis (Antithesis)
A rhetorical device that involves the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas or words, often in a balanced or parallel structure, to highlight their differences.
Example:
The poem uses antítesis by contrasting the protagonist's weariness with their intense desire for radical change.
Asíndeton (Asyndeton)
A rhetorical device where conjunctions are intentionally omitted from a series of words, phrases, or clauses, creating a sense of urgency or rapid flow.
Example:
The phrase 'no more stores, no gardens, no more goods' uses asíndeton to convey the protagonist's overwhelming desire to escape consumerism.
Authenticity
The quality of being genuine or real; in literature, it often refers to a character's search for their true self or a life free from pretense.
Example:
The protagonist's internal struggle in 'Walking Around' is largely driven by a yearning for authenticity beyond superficial societal expectations.
Disillusionment
A feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be, often a key theme in literature.
Example:
The protagonist's deep disillusionment with societal norms and materialistic pursuits drives their longing for authenticity.
Enumeración (Enumeration)
A rhetorical device that involves listing details, objects, or ideas in quick succession to create a cumulative effect or emphasize quantity.
Example:
The poem's enumeración of 'tailor shops, movie houses, barbershops' highlights the mundane and materialistic aspects of urban life.
Existential Angst
A profound feeling of dread, anxiety, or unease arising from the human condition, particularly the awareness of one's freedom and responsibility in a meaningless or absurd world.
Example:
The protagonist's contemplation of drastic actions and their weariness of life reflect a deep sense of existential angst.
Imagen (Imagery)
The use of vivid, descriptive language that appeals to the five senses, creating mental pictures and sensory experiences for the reader.
Example:
The imagen of 'water of wombs and ashes' evokes a powerful and unsettling sensory experience, blending life and decay.
Paradoja (Paradox)
A statement that appears self-contradictory but contains a deeper truth or insight upon closer examination.
Example:
The title 'Walking Around' itself presents a paradoja, suggesting a simple act while the poem explores profound and complex existential themes.
Polisíndeton (Polysyndeton)
A rhetorical device that involves the repeated use of conjunctions in a series of words, phrases, or clauses, often to create emphasis, rhythm, or a sense of accumulation.
Example:
The repetition of 'my' in 'my eyes, my shoes, my rage' through polisíndeton emphasizes the protagonist's personal connection to these elements and their internal turmoil.
Protagonist
The central character or leading figure in a literary work, who drives the plot and experiences the main conflict.
Example:
In 'Walking Around,' the protagonist is a weary individual seeking liberation from societal expectations.
Sinestesia (Synesthesia)
A literary device where sensory experiences are blended or described in terms of another sense, appealing to multiple senses simultaneously.
Example:
A poet might use sinestesia to describe a 'cold silence,' blending the tactile sensation of cold with the auditory experience of silence.
Símbolo (Symbol)
An object, person, or idea that represents something else, often an abstract concept, beyond its literal meaning.
Example:
The 'green knife' in 'Walking Around' serves as a símbolo for the protagonist's desire for radical change and liberation.
Verosimilitud (Plausibility/Realism)
The quality of appearing true, real, or probable; in literature, it refers to the believability of characters, events, and settings within the fictional world.
Example:
The verosimilitud of the protagonist's disillusionment makes their internal struggle relatable to a wide audience.
Verso libre (Free verse)
Poetry that does not adhere to a strict meter or rhyme scheme, allowing for a more natural and conversational flow.
Example:
Neruda's use of verso libre in 'Walking Around' allows the poem to mimic the protagonist's stream of consciousness.
Yuxtaposición (Juxtaposition)
The act of placing two or more contrasting elements (characters, ideas, settings) side by side to highlight their differences and create a specific effect.
Example:
The yuxtaposición of 'water of wombs and ashes' places life and death side-by-side, emphasizing the protagonist's emotional numbness.