CSEC English

Alonso and claim the kingdom. At another level we see the stormy relationship between Prospero and Caliban: Caliban, claiming that Prospero has stolen the island from him, rebels against Prospero’s authority. Even on board the ship we saw a stormy relationship between the crew and the aristocratic and royal passengers—something of a class war. And finally, Prospero warns the two young lovers not to let the beauty of the relationship be destroyed by unruly (stormy) passions. You must surely agree that the name/title of the play is very appropriate!

Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est is masterful in its use of satire. Those Latin words taken from Horace suggest that war is ennobling: It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s native land. But throughout his poem, Owen’s description of the soldiers’ experience in the trenches argues the exact opposite: war is degrading, dehumanizing, brutish and ugly. The satirical tone is set by the poem’s title.

Not all titles are as used as a useful literary device, but many are. Always ask yourself what the significance of the title is. Often you’ll come up with fascinating answers!

Perhaps the best place to start with this notion of parallelism is with making a list.

Here are some jottings that someone made when she was planning a party:

● Invitations to send out ● Don’t forget to order the drinks ● Wipe down the plastic chairs ● Suzy will lend me her extra glasses ● Making the ice cream—Karen’s job

As the list stands (and most lists start out this way!) the items are not parallel. But now look at the same items in the following list:

● Send out the invitations ● Order the drinks ● Wipe down the plastic chairs ● Borrow extra glasses from Suzy ● Remind Karen to make the ice cream.

Here the writer decided to make the items parallel by turning each item into a command—starting with the verb.

But other ways are possible. Look:

● Invitations to be sent out ● Drinks to be ordered ● Plastic chairs to be wiped down ● Extra glasses to be borrowed from Suzy ● Ice cream to be made by Karen

This time the writer kept all the items parallel by starting with the noun, and then indicating what needed to be done.

If you are taking minutes for a meeting, for example, you will find that your list of decisions made or “things to do” will look much smarter if you remember to make all the items parallel.

Here’s your turn to try.

Rewrite the list above, but this time use the gerund (that’s the –ing form of the verb):

Sally reminded Tom about sending out the invitations, ordering….

You complete the list.

NOT ONLY…BUT ALSO

Not only …but also is a very special case of parallelism that can give a lot of trouble. The two items following “not only” and “but also” MUST be parallel. Look at these sentences:

Not only the teachers, but also the students involved in the protest. (Followed by nouns)

Tim not only wrote (Followed by verbs)

the play, but also were

directed it.

The nurse decided not only to report the matter but also to take some photographs as evidence. (Followed by infinitives)

Her hat was not only over-large (Followed by adjectives)

The young driver drove not only rapidly but also recklessly through the crowded town. (Followed by adverbs) but also old-fashioned.

Writers go wrong when they forget the rule that the two items following “not only” and “but also” MUST be parallel.

Check whether you have understood the rule. Follow the pattern in the sentences above to rewrite the sentences in this exercise. Remove “and”, and follow the not only…but also format, making sure that the items after not on and but also are grammatically parallel. Now correct the improper use of “not only…but also” in the following sentences:

6.

I not only want to spend time in Barbados but also to visit my aunt in Trinidad.

He not only spent his time snorkeling but also surfing in Antigua.

We not only were tired but also very dirty by the time we arrived.

Sam is not only clumsy but he also can’t think straight.

10. He is not only a fool, but also he likes to clown around a lot. Not only …but also

1 I want not only to visit but also to travel, 2 not only swimming but also fishing, 3 not only offended but also insulted, 4 Not only your lateness but also your telephone manner…5 not only finds…but also gets. 6 I want not only to spend time…but also to visit, 7 He spent his time not only snorkeling but also surfing, 8 We were not only tired but also very dirty… 9 Sam is not only clumsy but also illogical/irrational, 10 He is not only a fool but also a clown.