Literature is a form of art with many facets, many obvious and others The surface of literature can be composed of many elementssuch as genre, form, rhythm, tone, diction, sentence structure, etc.Time periods, authors’ personal style and type of work all determinewhat elements are used in the literature. The deeper more subtle sideof literature is the use of symbolism, imagery and the significance ofthe work. In most works of literature, parallels can be drawn betweenthe author’s personality and current life’s events through the subjectmatter, the characters, and the use of specific literary techniques. LadyMary Wortley Montagu’s use of literary techniques in the first twostanzas of The Lover: A Ballad, are consistent throughout the sixstanza ballad identifying and refuting the ways in which women weredefined by literature of the 18th century era.“At length, by so much importunity pressed,Take (Molly) at once the inside of my breast;This stupid indifference so often you blameIs not owing to nature, to fear, or to shame;I am not as cold as a virgin in lead,Nor is Sunday’s sermon so strong in my head;I know but too well how time flies along, That we live but few years and yet fewer are young.But I hate to be cheated, and never will buyLong years of repentance for moments of joy.Oh was there a man (but where shall I findGood sense, and good nature so equally joined?)Would value his pleasure, contribute to mine,Not meanly would boast, nor lewdly design,Not over severe, yet not stupidly vain, For I would have the power through not give the pain”(Montagu, 2567)The ballad has been traditionally known as the earliest form ofpoetry in conjunction with the folk world. It is one of lyrical work,usually in a simple song or dance form eluding to its’ roots in oralpresentation among the rural culture. The ballad commonly usessimple language and can be in the form of 3rd person, dialogue or acombinatio...
