C.R. to denote that incoherence is due to lack of proper reference words. C.C. to denote that incoherence is due to improper connectives, or want of proper connectives. C.T. to denote that incoherence is due to lack of proper transitions. U to indicate that unity is impaired by the introduction of too much material, or material that is inharmonious. U to indicate that something essential to unity is omitted. EXERCISE A 194. Study the following compositions to discover wherein they lack unity and coherence. When you are sure that you can explain why unity and coherence are wanting mark the paragraphs for correction and then rewrite them. He was, in 1. Shylock hated Antonio for several reasons. my opinion a much abused man. Antonio was a Christian and, like most Christians of the time, despised the Jews and their customs, but Shylock held his nation sacred. Shylock hated the merchant also, because he did not believe in taking interest on his money. By lending money gratis he lessened the Jew's opportunities for profit. In addition to this, Antonio ill-treated Shylock in person,- had struck him, had spit upon him, and had called him names. From this it appears that Shylock's hatred of Antonio was rooted in private grudge, in business differences, and in social and religious animosities; and much of his bitter dislike was justifiable. 2. One bright morning in August, two fellows engaged a sailing sharpy at Bay Shore, and set out along the coast in search of snipe. The forenoon passed uneventfully, and they had brought down only a half dozen birds. About twelve o'clock they saw a large number among the rushes along the shore. Grounding the sharpy, the boys got out and crawled along close to the ground, and when they were within range, they each let go both barrels at once, killing twelve. Their fun was over. It began to rain in torrents and they ran for the boat. They put out hastily, but had not gone far before one of the ropes became tangled, and in attempting to get it in order, one of the boys slipped and fell overboard. He was hauled in by his companion, and they started home soaked with rain and sea water and with the honor of having bagged a respectable amount of game. 3. Tuesday evening saw the beginning of the fiercest snowstorm seen in many years in New York City. About seven o'clock sharp flakes of snow were swept by a strong north wind through the streets, to the great discomfiture of pedestrians. The tiny flakes, impelled by the wind, struck with an unpleasant sting the exposed faces of those who were so unfortunate as to be abroad. Gradually the flakes increased in size and amount. They continued to fall all night and all the next day. All this time the wind blew fiercely. The snow. was piled in great drifts. The streets were so choked that all traffic was suspended, and it took thousands of teams and laborers, and two days and nights of steady work to get them into such shape that the usual traffic could be resumed. 4. The day had begun with a sign of ill omen and the delay caused by meeting with the party of Isaac did not increase Cedric's sense of security. He pushed on as rapidly as possible. He had not gone far before he realized that his misgivings were not ill-founded, and he wished Rowena and Athelstane safe at Rotherwood, for he hoped that they would some day rule over England. Suddenly a party of men, dressed as yeomen, attacked the cavalcade from all sides, Cedric fought bravely, but it was all in vain, and the whole company was captured, with the exception of Gurth and Wamba, who had escaped, and were conducted to the castle of Torquilstone. Gurth and Wamba did good service later in bringing aid to the captives. 5. At the battle of Monmouth, among the Americans wounded, was Lieut. Tallman. He was shot through the throat, and crawled behind the barn to die. Two soldiers came to his relief, and raising him from the ground, were retreating with him across an orchard, when a musket ball passing through the hat of one of them, he hastily abandoned his charge and ran away. The other supported him to the dwelling of a Mr. Cook, in the vicinity, where also was carried another wounded officer, Mr. Nealey. Here both received the kindest treatment and both officers recovered. But Capt. Nealey in receiving balm for the injury in his flesh, became wounded in a more tender point. There arose between him and a daughter of Mr. Cook, who had hovered over his couch in the shape of a 'ministering angel," a romantic attachment, which finally resulted in marriage.—From Romance of the Revolution. EXERCISE B 195. From each of the following suggestions develop a composition of a single paragraph, paying special attention to unity and coherence: 1. During a severe storm a house is blown from its foundation. Tell what happened to the persons who were inside. 2. A boy is on a pleasure trip fifteen miles from home. He loses his railway ticket and all his money. How does he get home? 3. Juno, jealous of the nymph Echo, because Jupiter loved to listen to her charming stories, deprived her of the power of speech. Develop a narrative. 4. There is a legend of the Middle Ages that a princess was held in a cavern by an enchanter, who had transformed her lower limbs into the body of a monstrous serpent. The lady could be released from the spell only by the kiss of a man whose life had been perfectly pure. Unwittingly a youth wandered into the cave. Tell what the result was. 5. During the Revolution Capt. Mills, who had been sent to Charleston to draw money for the troops, observed that he was shadowed by a suspicious looking person. He managed to enter into conversation with the man, and invited him to his room. Tell what followed. 6. A team of horses was hitched to a mowing machine in a farm yard. The horses became frightened and ran away. Tell what happened. 7. An automobile on the sea shore suddenly became unmanageable and ran into the ocean. What did the occupants do? 8. To repay a kindness done him by a clever maiden, named Lufthilde, Charlemagne offered her his horse, promising to give her as much land as she could ride around before sundown. Tell the story of her ride. CHAPTER VIII NARRATION 196. The Nature of Narration.— Narration is that form of composition which deals with events, or objects in action. Men and things act or are acted upon. Life is a continued series of actions, and any composition, oral or written, that recounts in order the happenings of any part of it, or gives the details of any single event in it, is a narrative. A boy goes hunting and has an interesting experience; next day he gives a glowing account of it to his chum. There is a disturbance at a public meeting, or a terrible accident. somewhere; the reporter weaves the details into articles for the morning paper. A writer becomes intensely interested in the Wars of the Roses, or the life of Shakspere, and he collects the intricate details into a history. An incident fires the imagination of a novelist, and from a few meager details he builds up a thrilling romance. All these are narratives. 197. Kinds of Narration.- If any one of us should think over all the narratives he has read with the idea of classifying them, he would be impressed by the great variety both in the nature of the subjects treated narratively and in the method of treatment. How classify such things as the newspaper report of a meet 148 |