Show Don't Tell

 I am working on objective correlatives.  An objective correlative is a literary theory used to explain how symbolic language evokes an understanding that is deeper, than using the obvious words.  For example, one could say Lady Macbeth felt guilty, rather than Lady Macbeth’s frantic washing of invisible blood off her hands. In other words, objective correlatives show, not tell.

The earliest place the term is  found is in the lectures of Washington Allston, a 19th century painter.  He used it to show the relation between the mind and the external world.  This idea was further developed  by George Santayana in 1900, in his book Interpretations of Poetry and Religion.  

T.S. Eliot used objective correlatives often and popularized the term.  Ezra Pound and Edgar Allan Poe, are also known to have used them. Recall Poe’s The Raven, to symbolize death and loss.  Here, listen to this stanza from Ezra Pound’s poem, The Return, about the pagan gods returning with diminished power, without telling you that these gods have lost their power:

See, they return; ah, see the tentative

Movements, and the slow feet,

The trouble in the pace and the uncertain

Wavering!

 I like using objective correlatives.  For fun, I’ve written a paragraph about an incident that happened to my husband.  First, I’ll read the stated event.  After, I’ll read the exact same incident, using objective correlatives.   

                                                ___________________

He turned on the computer and heard a strange noise.  A sign appeared, stating that federal authorities have noticed that his computer had a virus, and to call them.  He did, and all the trouble began.

                                        ____________________________

It was a windy day.  The dark clouds sped over our house, controlling the light from the sun. Hubby sat down at his computer.  Suddenly, an annoying screech erupted from the screen.  Jolted from his normal routine, he discovered a blinking notice, informing him that his computer had been compromised.  The notice also stated that they were federal authorities and had detected disturbing activity on his computer. He was advised to call them.

       Alas!  My law-abiding husband obeyed.