What is a gradation?
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The
gradation
serves to amplify a subject.
It is distinguished from accumulation by the progression of the meaning of the terms used.
When this progression goes from the weakest direction to the strongest, one speaks very logically of increasing gradation and, conversely, when the terms are weaker and weaker, of descending gradation.
Molière used gradation to express despair
Let me take you to meet Harpagon whose despair Molière describes to us using different gradations.
The first, from the start of the scene, is ascending: “
Stop thief!
thief !
to the murderer!
to the murderer!
"The comic effect of the second, descending, delights me:"
I am lost, I am murdered, my throat was cut, my money was stolen.
"The third, growing, is also pleasing:"
I am dying, I am dead, I am buried.
As for the last one, which passes from the commissioners to the executioners, she can only convince us of the fury of the old miser: "
Come on,
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