I visited Facebook this morning and found a post by one of my nieces showing a diagram of the opening sentence of Franz Kaftka’s “Metamorphosis.” In the post she asked if her readers remembered diagramming sentences. I do!
Actually, I find that diagramming sentences helps to provide clarity of thought when you are writing. I rarely do it any longer, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to resume the practice.
What astonished me was that the National Council of Teachers of English announced in 1985 that they feel diagramming is a “deterrent to the improvement of students’ speaking and writing.” Wouldn’t you think that anything that promoted clarity in the use of language would be beneficial?
I was not an English teacher, but I disagree with their opinion.
If you wish to give your niece a challenge, have her diagram the opening sentence to “The Fall of the House of Usher”. (BTW: Which version of the “Metamorphosis” sentence did she use?)
I’ll have to see if i can send you the diagram she posted on Facebook, so you can see it for yourself. I didn’t know there was more than one version of the opening line for “The Metamorphosis.” And now, I have to go look for “The Fall of the House of Usher,” because I don’t recall the opening sentence. Tease! lol
Well, I think the two versions are actually different translations of the German: “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous vermin.” as opposed to,”As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.” (Thanks to The Literature Network Forums at http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?18359-Metamorphosis-Opening-Lines for providing the two.)Obviously, the diagramming really wouldn’t differ.
I can see from this and other comments you’ve made that this caught your imagination. Please go and share it with others, now! lol I can’t keep up with you!