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The function of rhyme in Virginia Woolf’s prose

University of British Columbia

Through the close examination of rhyme (where rhyme is considered to mean alliteration, assonance, homoeoteleuton or the echo of word-endings, and place or the verbatim repetition of an entire word) in three of Woolf's novels—Jacob's Room (1922), To the Lighthouse (1927), and Between the Acts (1941)--this thesis is attempting to provide an insight into the structural composition of Woolf's prose. It looks at the mechanics involved in writing the novels—as specifically seen in Woolf's use of rhyme techniques. The thesis yields positive proof that Woolf selected the words in her texts with consideration not just for their meaning, but for their sound: the way these sounds are arranged helps to highlight and draw attention to various sections and themes within the novels. In other words, Woolf does not use rhyme merely to ornament her novels, but rather, employs it as one of many devices to help convey to the reader impressions and sensations about her characters and their surroundings.

Text

2010-05-29

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/25182

English

University of British Columbia

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