Difference Between Repetition and Parallelism

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Main Difference – Repetition vs Parallelism

Repetition and Parallelism can be a tricky area in literature. Many literature students find these two devices to be similar. However, there is a distinct difference between repetition and parallelism. The main difference between repetition and parallelism is that repetition focuses more on the semantics whereas parallelism focuses more on syntax.

What is Repetition

Repetition is a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of the same word, phrase or sentence. This device, used both in prose and poetry, adds emphasis and power to the literary piece. Repetition is also a good way to ensure that your audience remembers the story; this is why many orators use the technique of repetition.

Repetition can be classified into different types based on the structure of the repetition, and each of these types has unique names. Given below are some examples of these types.

Anaphora: Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of several subsequent clauses or phrases.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..”

(A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens)

Epiphora: Repetition of the same word at the end of every line.

“Sweet Portia,

If you did know to whom I gave the ring,

If you did know for whom I gave the ring

And would conceive for what I gave the ring”

(Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare)

Symploce: Combination of anaphora and epiphora. Repetition is both at the end and at the beginning.

The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes,
The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes . . ..”

(The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot )

Polyptoton: Repetition of the words with the same root but different endings.

“How the danger sinks and swells,—
By the sinking or the swelling in the anger of the bells”

(The Bells by Edgar Allen Poe)

Anadiplosis: Repetition of the last word or phrase of one line as the first word of the next.

“The mountains look on Marathon – And Marathon looks on the sea…”

(The Isles of Greece by Lord Byron)

What is Parallelism

Parallelism can be defined as the juxtaposition of two or more identical or equivalent syntactic constructions, especially those expressing the same sentiment with slight modifications, introduced for rhetorical effect. In simple terms, it is the use of components that are grammatically the same or are similar in construction, meaning or sound. It is created by using other rhetorical devices such as anaphora, antithesis, epistrophe, and asyndeton. Parallelism either joins similar concepts to show their connection or juxtaposes opposing concepts to show their difference. Given below are some examples of parallelism.

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy

“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” —Winston Churchill

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Like mother, like daughter

To generalize about war is like generalizing about peace. Almost everything is true. Almost nothing is true. (The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien)

Difference Between Repetition and Parallelism

Definition

Repetition a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of the same word, phrase or sentence.

Parallelism is a literary device that juxtaposes two or more similar syntactic constructions, especially those expressing the same idea with slight modifications.

Repetition

Repetition refers to the repetition of words, phrases, or clauses.

Parallelism refers to the repetition of the structure.

Focus

Repetition focuses more on the meaning.

Parallelism focuses more on the structure.