Literary techniques and literary devices are the backbone to reading, analyzing, and writing literature. Students need a strong foundation in knowing these techniques inside and out in order to succeed on the higher level tasks we have for them. Make learning fun by integrating some Disney music into your English classroom for teaching literary techniques!
Apostrophe
Apostrophe is quite possibly my favorite literary technique. Something that allows you to speak to an inanimate object, someone who is absent, or an idea? Pretty cool. It's a powerful narrative tool that can elevate the metaphorical workings of a story.
Frozen 2's "Into the Unknown" is based on this technique as Elsa speaks to a mysterious voice that has been calling to her. Disney officially announced that they attribute the voice to Elsa's mother, Queen Iduna. The related song "Show Yourself" from Frozen 2 would also work as an example of apostrophe.
For a more concrete example of a protagonist speaking to someone who is absent (or dead), Moana features a scene at the 'all is lost' or 'abyss' moment of the story, where Moana speaks directly with her grandmother's spirit.
Personification
Personification, giving human characteristics to non-human objects (different from giving human characteristics to animals, which is anthropomorphism), is popular in Disney movies.
Moana is one of my favorite Disney films because there's almost a bit of everything in there... The Hero's Journey archetype down to a tee, character archetypes that are made explicit right in the opening sequence, and my favorite example of personification in a Disney film: the water telling Moana she is the chosen one.
Beauty and the Beast's "Be Our Guest" highlights how all the objects in the castle are "human." (I suppose you can debate with your class whether it's really personification if the servants were actually human first and transformed into objects....Perhaps they could coin a new term for this literary technique themselves?)
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is a powerful technique because it produces such a strong reaction for viewers/readers. The reaction can be fear (think of horror films that show a villain approaching an unaware protagonist), humor (see Olaf's example below), or any other kind of emotional complexity (see Mulan example below). Our reaction manifests because what we know is in conflict with what the characters on screen (or on the page) do not.
Mulan's "I'll Make a Man Out of You" depends on the audience's knowledge of Mulan's female identity, which conflicts with her trainer Li Shang's goal to prepare all of his "men" for the rage of war. The kick comes at the end, when we see Mulan defying expectations and succeeding as a woman in a 'man's world.'
Frozen evokes a comical use of dramatic irony with Olaf's "In Summer." The only reason this song works is because of the dramatic irony: Olaf has no idea that snow--ahem, he--will melt in the heat.
Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition places two things together in order to highlight a contrast. This technique can create powerful meaning when applied satirically to political commentaries or in any regards towards questioning the status quo. Juxtaposition need not apply directly to characters--it can reference ideas, objects, places, actions/choices, etc.
Disney's Frozen juxtaposes Ana's and Elsa's dispositions towards interacting with their kingdom in the song "For the First Time in Forever." The audience observes the conflict that is inevitable between the sisters by seeing how far apart each's hopes and fears reside. This video could also be used to discuss character foils (although Ana and Elsa both share the role of main protagonists).
Theme
Oh theme. Why is it so hard to teach? My guess is because the more abstract the concept, the more students who are concrete thinkers will struggle to grasp it. (I say this as a concrete thinker myself!) What to do? I say, provide more concrete examples!
Yep, Moana again. The ending sequence "Know Who You Are" sings the theme of the movie, which regards identity and being true to yourself. You'll notice several references to this idea thrown throughout the film as well. This song is also a prime example of apotheosis. It gives me chills every time I hear it!
Hubris
Excessive pride, the downfall of too many tragic heroes, and a few...allies?
Maui's song "You’re Welcome" is essentially a boastful account of all the great deeds he prides himself on. And he only expects that Moana is truly grateful for all of his contributions. Little does he realize how angry the world is that the result of his actions is, well...the slow but eventual death of the world? Yikes.
Metaphor
Oh, those tricky metaphors. Distinguish these further than their frequent comparison to similes (get it?). They aren't really "just like similes, just without "like" or "as."" A metaphor becomes something else. Its essence is that it involves transformation, somehow.
Hercules' song "Go the Distance" is about his perseverance, his drive, and his ability to make it to the end of his journey. It's not just about walking a long way or going on a long journey--he will literally transform into a god if he truly does go the distance to prove himself a real hero.
For a simpler metaphor example, Frozen's "Love is an Open Door" is a reaction to Ana's experience of being shut-out from those she loves (her sister) her whole life. Her line "All my life has been a series of doors in my face" is her experience of being kept at bay from her sister and alone. Now, she revels that love has the opportunity to include her and welcome her involvement instead of close her out.
Metaphor/Rhetorical Question
Disney's Pocahontas provokes controversy, and you have to decide if that's something to broach with your class. I would personally be interested in a respectful, open discussion as to whether the movie would be offensive if the story had cast fictional characters to replace the historical Pocahontas and John Smith. I wonder this because my instinct is that the movie does a fair job of teaching viewers about racism, hatred, and violence, and educating them about acceptance and love. If we strip away the specific connection to historical individuals, can that message ring clearer? Regardless, I include "Colors of the Wind" here because of the metaphorical enigma it creates, which is so characteristic of metaphors--especially for how students experience them. What does it mean to paint with all the colors of the wind? The song is also an example for rhetorical questions.
Hyperbole
I could spend eons talking about hyperbole. :) Like any other technique, when used in a strategic way, the effect produced can range from informative to powerful.
Beauty and the Beast's "Gaston" is a prime example of how a literary technique (hyperbole in this case) can be used to develop a character. This is a great example to use in order to help students see how techniques develop literary devices (character, tone, mood, etc.). In case it wasn't obvious at this point in the film, the audience is now aware of the depth of Gaston's arrogance and narcissism.
In Rapunzel's "Mother Knows Best" Mother Gothel manipulates Rapunzel by painting a frightening picture of the world. That picture is skewed into only negative possibilities, without any balance of positives or hopes that the outside world can bring forth. Usually hyperbole is meant to be an obvious exaggeration, but Rapunzel doesn't know that Mother's exaggerations aren't meant to be taken literally (only we, the audience, know that she is omitting a lot of everything else that exists in the world beyond). This means that Mother Gothel uses this technique to gaslight Rapunzel and prey on her fears and insecurities--that she can't take care of herself in the world out there. This hyperbole serves to demonstrate Mother Gothel's emotional abuse on Rapunzel's character. This hyperbole is another example of how a literary technique can be used to develop a literary device -- Rapunzel's relationship with her mother and her character's compliance.
Exposition
Okay, so this one isn't a literary technique -- it's a literary device, but Disney's Hercules has such a perfect example that I just couldn't resist.
The purpose of the opening song "The Gospel Truth" is to provide the appropriate context for the film, but in a fun way to hook the audience. The muses literally criticize the narrator for the boring job he is making of providing the exposition. (Note: The opening scene of Moana also provides a similar example.) Be sure to help your students understand the difference between backstory and complete exposition. The backstory presented here is part of the exposition, but that doesn't mean the exposition of this story ends when the song does. (The same is true for Moana.) It's difficult to find a song that would cover a complete exposition, but a musical such as the "Prologue: Into the Woods" would work if needed.
Symbolism
Symbolism. Another tricky one, am I right? Since symbolism reigns in the abstract, students need to spend more time extracting meaning from it. Again, I think the more concrete examples here, the better.
Rapunzel's "I See the Light" provides students with an opportunity to explore what the "light" really refers to. Since the answer isn't too subtle, this is a great example for students to gain entry to the magical world of symbols and their hidden meanings. ...Now, on to Janie and the meaning of that pear tree...
I hope this post sprinkles a love of learning in your students by bringing the joy of music into your classroom. The more engaged students are, and the more familiar they are with our examples, the more likely they will be able to retain what we teach and apply it to new experiences.
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