19. Climax. Anticlimax. Suspense

Climax is the repetition of the elements of the sentence in the gradual increase in the quality, quantity or emotional coloring of the sentence: Do what he would, a smile would come into Mr. Pickwick's face; the smile extended into a laugh; the laugh into a roar; the roar became general (Chapter 19, “The Pickwick Papers” by Charles Dickens).

The negative form of climax consists in the absence of substance or quality that is being emphasized. The relative synonyms are arranged not in the ascending, but in the descending order: “Be careful,” said Mr. Jingle—“not a look.” “Not a wink,” said Mr. Tupman. “Not a syllable.” “Not a whisper.” (“The Pickwick Papers” by Charles Dickens).

There are logical, emotional and quantitative types of climax. The most widely spread model is a three-step structure. In emotive climax it is a rather a two-step structure: He is helpless, he is so very helpless.

Anticlimax is the opposite of climax. The final element is obviously weaker in degree or lower in status than the previous ones. It is an unexpected turn of the thought that defeats the expectations of the reader or listener. It usually creates a humorous effect: People tell me that a clear conscience makes you very happy and contented; but a full stomach does the thing just as well (“Three Man in a Boat” by Jerome. K. Jerome; 2 May 1859, Walsall, Staffordshire, England – 14 June 1927, Northampton, England).

Suspense is a deliberate postponement of the completion of the sentence. To hold the reader in suspense means to keep the final solution just out of sight. This solution is given at the end: If you had any part – I don’t say what – in this attack, or if you know anything about it – I don’t say how much, – or if you know who did it – I go no closer – You did an injury to me that’s never to be forgotten.

20. Antithesis. Rhetorical question. Litotes

Antithesis is a structure that stresses a sharp contrast in meaning between the parts of the sentence: art is long, life is short. The main function of this stylistic device is to show the heterogeneous character of the described phenomena, to show that these phenomena are a dialectical unity of two or more opposing features.

Litotes is a stylistic device which presents a two-component structure in which two negations are joined to give a positive evaluation: not unkindly means kindly. But the positive effect is weakened. It reflects the lack of the speaker’s confidence. The first component of litotes is always the particle not, the second component, negative in meaning, varies from a negatively affixed word to a negative phrase. The function of this stylistic device is to weaken the effect of the utterance. The Russian литота corresponds to the English understatement.

Rhetorical question is a peculiar interrogative construction which semantically remains a statement. It doesn’t demand any information. It serves to express the emotions of the speaker and call the attention of the listener. Rhetorical questions are an inseparable part of rhetorical and oratory speech, because they successfully emphasize the speaker’s idea. The most common structure of rhetorical question is a negative interrogative sentence: who doesn’t know Shakespeare? However, the negation may be implied: may the leopard change its spots? Or it may also contain some irony: since when are you interested in such things?