Misplaced Modifiers

Anyone who has studied or taught grammar recently knows what a misplaced modifier is. For those of us who haven't a misplaced modifier is simply putting a prepositional phrase in the wrong place. As William Strunk says in his excellent book The Elements of Style "sentences violating [a rule about misplaced modifiers] are often ludicrous." Here are some examples:

Ms. Ruiz got a sweater for her dog with a snowflake pattern.

Roberto read that some turtles can swim quite fast in a magazine.

I saw the ants marching through my magnifying glass.

The man bought the rare photograph of Geronimo with the cellular telephone.

Mrs. Chu gives the sculptures to her friends that she carves.

The students met with a tutor who needed help in math.

The hero of the story, Bilbo Baggins is not a typical hero, who likes nothing more than chatting with his neighbors, sleeping, and eating.

The hat belongs to the girl with the feather.

The poster caught my eye on the wall.

A beautiful Bolivian weaving hangs on our living room wall from the town of Trinidad.

We saw Jose Clemente Orozco's beautiful murals on vacation in Guadalajara.

Sleeping on the roof, I saw our neighbor's cat.

Cleaning the attic, an old trunk was found.

Pacing in its cage, I watched the lion.

The turkey was large enough for three families stuffed with sage and bread crumbs.

The kitten belongs to my neighbor that is on the branch.

[The examples above are from The Elements of Language: Introductory Course pp. 510-514 and The Elements of Language: First Course pp. 541-546.]

Rather Macabre Joke

Many years ago, my family watched a documentary on the Donner Party. When it was mentioned that one of the survivors opened a restaurant, my brother quipped,

"We serve you better."

Balanced Themes

I read quite frequently, and also enjoy writing. Recently I have noticed a "conflict", if you can call it that, between timely themes and timeless themes.

Webster's Dictionary defines a theme as an idea that recurs in or pervades a piece of art or literature. For example, the themes of Pride and Prejudice could be "romance" or "faults" or "self-realization". A theme of Hamlet could be "infidelity" or "insanity". Timely themes would be themes that are culturally relevant now, perhaps "post-modernism". Timeless themes would be themes that are always relevant, such as "death". It happens to everybody, excepting Enoch and Elijah.

There is as much danger in writing a novel set in the present as there is in writing a fantasy. The danger is that you, the writer, become so engrossed in the setting that you forget what is more important: the plot. In a modern novel, the writer could dwell on the advanced technology his characters use, thus; subtracting form the plot. In a fantasy, a writer could give over-detailed explanations of customs and lands in their made-up world

A novel could override its balance. Too many timeless themes, and, while the novel may be a masterpiece, it does not have the power to make a present change. Too many timely themes, and it becomes marginalized and will have no lasting power. Some books I think have an admirable balance of timeless and timely themes are:

A Tale of Two Cities (death, the mechanization of death, liberty, revolution, revenge)

To Kill A Mockingbird (prejudice, prejudice against African Americans, courage, innocence)

Can you think of any more?

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Hamlet Update:

I am currently in Act 4, Scene 4.

Hannah's Prayer

A few days ago I read Hannah's prayer from the second chapter of Samuel. I had always considered Hannah taking her young son to the temple as a sad event. I could just see the weeping mother reluctantly handing her son over to Eli the priest, regretting her rash vow. But one look at chapter two banishes any such thought.

"My heart exults in the LORD;
my strength is exalted in the LORD.
My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

²"There is none holy like the LORD;
there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
³Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the LORD is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
⁴The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
⁵Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
⁶The LORD kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
⁷The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
⁸He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
and on them he has set the world.

⁹"He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
¹⁰The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the power of his anointed."

If you have recently read Mary's Song of Praise, also called the Magnificat, (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:%2046-55&version=ESV from Luke 1, you will definitely notice some similarities. Both Hannah and Mary were given sons from the Lord. They expressed the same things in their praises: joy and astonishment at what He has done for them. Both women ended up giving up their sons as well.

Hannah is not having a pity party here. She is so wrapped up in what God has done for her and who He is that she does not even mention that she is surrendering her son, who was only weaned recently. How wonderful self-forgetfulness is! It enables me to make sacrifices for God without considering me, because God is far more important than me. That's a helpful thing to remember.

Book of the Month: Hamlet

For the upcoming year, I am going to be reading one classic novel a month. I admit to cheating and choosing a play for this month, but it is considered literature, so I'm counting it as such. If you want to join me in my 2010 Reading Challenge, you're more than welcome. Let's read!

Notice

Posted on the family white board: "Despretly need chocolate sauce." Only to find it in the pantry.

M is for Margaret

Margaret. The under-appreciated classic that has it all. Margaret. Can you ask for a classier name? Unfortunately, Margaret has been left by the wayside for the past half-century. Over that time, it got an old, unfashionable image. Margaret. That old librarian who smelled like ben-gay and fifteen-year-old books. Use Margaret for an adorable baby? Absolutely not.

Despite unfortunate opinions like these, I think Margaret's day is due. It's the name of queens, saints (including one called Margaret the Barefooted), and prime ministers. It sounds upright, impeccable, and strong. It's nickname selections range from spunky to super-cute. Consider:

Maggie

Mago (pronounced MAH-go, I think)

Maisie

Mamie

Meg/Peg

Greta

And if Margaret's not your pace, how about it's international variations?

Gita

Gituska

Gretchen/Grete

Gretel

Grieta

Mairead (MAU-reed)

Makelesi (MAH-ka-lee-see)

Mared

Marga/Margit/Margita

Margo/Margot/Margaux

Margreta

Marguerite/Margarethe

Margarita/Margareta

Marjatta

Margara

Margisia

Marka/Marketa

Megan/Meaghan

Meta

Rita

Marjorie/Margery

And, if I haven't mentioned it before, Margaret is my very favorite name.