Table of Contents
Introduction
Accumulation as a figure of speech involves the successive addition of words, phrases, or clauses to build up a comprehensive and impactful expression.
In this article, we will define this figure of speech and illustrate it with examples from literature.
Let’s start with understanding what accumulation means!
What is Accumulation?
Accumulation is a figure of speech in which the arguments previously stated are presented again in a forceful manner.
The word accumulation comes from the Latin “accumulationem” and it means mass, pile or heap.
Let’s consider an example to illustrate this stylistic device:
St. Augustine founded it. Becket died for it. Chaucer wrote about it. Cromwell shot at it. Hitler bombed it. Time is destroying it. Will you save it?
Slogan for Canterbury Cathedral in England
The above statement is an example of accumulation as it sequentially adds historical events and figures related to Canterbury Cathedral, creating a compelling narrative that emphasizes its significance.
Notice how the addition of information each time contributes to the cumulative impact, building a rich historical narrative that underscores the significance of Canterbury Cathedral and culminates in a compelling call for its preservation.
Why Do Writers Use Accumulation?
Accumulation finds its purpose in literature and rhetoric by strategically layering information to create emphasis and impact. This technique involves the sequential addition of related words, phrases, or clauses, allowing writers to build a comprehensive and intensified expression.
The deliberate repetition and stacking of details contribute to a nuanced and vivid portrayal, evoking emotional responses and emphasizing key themes.
Here are some purposes for using accumulation:
- Emphasis and Intensification:
- This figure of speech is used to emphasize specific points or ideas by progressively building upon them, creating a heightened effect.
- Rhetorical Impact:
- The deliberate stacking of details enhances the rhetorical impact of a message, making it more memorable and compelling for the audience.
- Creating Vivid Imagery:
- By adding layers of descriptive elements, this stylistic device helps in crafting vivid imagery, enabling readers to visualize and connect more deeply with the narrative.
- Building Climax or Resolution:
- Writers use this figure of speech to build towards a climax or resolution, intensifying the emotional and thematic aspects of a story or argument as it unfolds.
Accumulation Vs. Repetition
Accumulation and repetition are both figures of speech, but they differ in their techniques and effects.
- As mentioned before, accumulation involves the progressive addition of related words, phrases, or clauses to build up a comprehensive and impactful expression. It often creates a sense of intensification or emphasis by piling up details.
- Example of accumulation: “The concert was filled with laughter, applause, and the sweet melodies of the orchestra.”
- Repetition, on the other hand, involves the deliberate use of the same word, phrase, or structure for emphasis or effect. It can be used to reinforce a point, create rhythm, or enhance the overall impact of the message.
- Example of repetition: “O Captain! my Captain! “
Accumulation builds upon a theme by adding related elements, while repetition involves the recurrence of the same words or structures for emphasis or rhetorical effect.
The following table highlights the distinctions between accumulation and repetition in terms of their definitions, purposes, examples, effects, usage, and key differences.
| Aspect | Accumulation | Repetition |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Progressive addition of related elements to build a comprehensive and impactful expression | Deliberate recurrence of the same word, phrase, or structure for effect |
| Purpose | Create intensification or emphasis by piling up details | Emphasize a point, create rhythm, or enhance the overall impact |
| Example | “The concert was filled with laughter, applause, and the sweet melodies of the orchestra.” | “O Captain! My Captain!” |
| Effect | Adds depth and nuance, creating a rich narrative or argument | Reinforces a specific idea, creates rhythmic or emphatic effect |
| Usage | Crafting vivid imagery, building towards climaxes or resolutions | Enhancing emphasis, rhythm, or emotional impact |
| Key Difference | Involves successive addition of related elements for comprehensive impact | Involves deliberate repetition of the same elements for emphasis |
Examples of Accumulation from Literature
Accumulation is frequently used in literary works to meticulously build layers of detail, intensify expressions, and create a rich tapestry of imagery or meaning. Progressively adding related words, phrases, or clauses evokes a more profound impact, elicits emotional responses, and amplifies the significance of their themes.
In the following examples, scattered arguments are gathered and presented together to make the point compact and forceful.
Let’s start with the first example:
“I will not excuse you; you shall not be excused; excuses shall not be admitted; there is no excuse shall serve; you shall not be excused.”
From “King Henry the Fourth” by William Shakespeare
In Act V, scene one of “The Second Part of King Henry the Fourth,” Shallow, a country justice, confronts Falstaff in a legal matter. Shallow sternly refuses to accept any excuses from Falstaff, emphasizing this point with the accumulation of phrases like “you shall not be excused.”
The accumulation intensifies the tone of the scene, underscoring Shallow’s determination and unwavering stance in holding Falstaff accountable for his actions.
This rhetorical device adds a dramatic and forceful dimension to the confrontation, showcasing Shakespeare’s skill in using language to heighten tension and emphasize character dynamics.
Now let’s look at a second example:
“He is the betrayer of his own self-respect, and the waylayer of the self-respect of others; covetous, intemperate, irascible, arrogant; disloyal to his parents, ungrateful to his friends, troublesome to his kin; insulting to his betters, disdainful of his equals and mates, cruel to his inferiors; in short, he is intolerable to everyone.”
Attributed to Cicero, Rhetorica ad Herennium, IV.52
The above passage is an example of accumulation as a figure of speech. It involves the successive addition of negative traits and behaviors, creating a comprehensive and impactful description of the person being referred to. The accumulation of various vices contributes to a vivid and forceful portrayal of the individual’s character.
Here is another example from the “Old Testament”
“A generation goes and a generation comes, yet the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets, and rushes back again to the place from which it rises. The wind blows south, then returns to the north, round and round goes the wind, on its rounds it circulates. All streams flow to the sea, yet the sea does not fill up.”
Ecclesiastes, The Old Testament
The above passage primarily presents observations and contrasts about the cyclical nature of certain phenomena, such as generations, the sun, the wind, and streams. It involves the repetition of similar structures and contains a sort of successive addition of elements characteristic of accumulation.
Conclusion
Accumulation is a powerful figure of speech that adds depth and resonance to literary works and rhetorical discourse. It differs from repetition in its dynamic approach, as it involves the progressive addition of related elements to create a nuanced and comprehensive expression.
This technique is used to emphasize key points, intensify rhetorical impact, craft vivid imagery, and build toward climaxes or resolutions.
If you incorporate accumulation into your writing, you can elevate the richness of your language, evoke stronger emotions, and leave a lasting impression on your audience by skillfully layering details and creating a more impactful narrative or argument.
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