Literary Present Tense

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How (and Why) Do I Write in Literary Present Tense?

•Literary works (fiction AND non-fiction), paintings, films, and other artistic creations are assumed to exist in an eternal present. – I can open to page 8 and Lennie is STILL

holding a dead mouse. He will be holding that mouse on page 8 in 2 years and 4 weeks from now as well.

– When you write about writers or artists as they express themselves in their work, use the present tense.

The Basic Rule: – You should use the past tense when

discussing historical events, and you should use the literary present when discussing artistic creations (books).

– The year the book was written = factual

– The day Lennie was shot = fictionalSteinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men in

1937 and shows that the American Dream is allusive when George shoots Lennie.

1.) When commenting on what a writer says, use the present

tense.• Dunn begins his work with a view

into the lives and motivations of the very first settlers.

• Through this anecdote, Richter illustrates common misconceptions about native religion and shows why missionary attempts were less than successful.

2.)When describing an author’s work, however,

use the past tense.

• Henry Fielding wrote in the eighteenth century.

• Picasso produced a series of sculptures.

3.) When you are writing about a certain historical event use the

past tense.• Wiesel survived the Holocaust and

wrote Night to share the horrific events he suffered through. In his novel, Wiesel describes these experiences.

• Steinbeck, who lived throughout the Great Depression, developed negative feelings toward the “American Dream.” Steinbeck explores the failure of the “American Dream” in his novel.

4.) When discussing events in a book or story, always use the present tense, unless there is a shift in the time frame within the

world of the text.

• Evelyn then rips into the carefully wrapped package and finds the greatest gift she has ever received… Evelyn is suffering from guilt as she compares this present to the shoddy gift that she bought* for her beau.– “Bought” is in past tense because the

buying of the present occurred before the described set of events.

Again, use present tense until there is a shift in the time frame within the

world of the text.

• George runs to the river knowing that he will find Lennie there because he explained that to Lennie early on.

• Elie feels incredible guilt because he realizes that survival will be easier without his father. Elie remembers Rabbi Eliahou’s son and how he abandoned his father, and Elie therefore prays to not be like him.

NOTE on #4: The past event should be something that happened a significant

amount of time in the past. Past shouldn’t be used for events that happen in the

same scene.• WRONG: Lennie chokes Curley’s wife

because she invited him to touch her hair. When he did she screamed and scared Lennie.

• CHANGE TO: Curley’s wife invites Lennie to touch her hair and screams when he grabs it, scaring Lennie . Lennie therefore chokes Curley’s wife out of fear.

5.) Sometimes a sentence must employ both present and

past tense.• Wiesel wrote his novel to

encourage the reader to remember the past, as is emphasized when he writes, “Never shall I forget that night… Never shall I forget those things, even were I condemned to live as long as God Himself.Never,” (42).

Remember:• It is important to stay consistent.

– Moving between verb tenses can be confusing for your reader.

• Sometimes a sentence must employ both present and past tense.

• Examine your changes of tense very carefully and make sure there is a logical reason for them.

• If you need to shift tense more than three times in a single sentence, consider a couple of shorter sentences to maintain reading ease.

INCORRECT

Steinbeck showed George’s concern for Lennie when he described how George ran to the river. George knew that he would find Lennie there because he explained that the river bank was the meeting place if there was any trouble.

CORRECT!

• Steinbeck shows George’s concern for Lennie when he describes how George runs to the river. George knows that he will find Lennie there because he explained that the river bank is the meeting place if there is any trouble.

INCORRECT

Wiesel described an instance of cruelty where, “Idek was seized with one of his fits of frenzy…He leapt on me, like a wild animal, hitting me in the chest, on the head, throwing me down and pulling me up again, his blows growing more and more violent, until I was covered with blood,” (60). Wiesel wanted to show how cruel the kapos behaved in the camp.

CORRECT!Wiesel describes an instance of cruelty where “Idek was seized with one of his fits of frenzy…He leapt on me, like a wild animal, hitting me in the chest, on the head, throwing me down and pulling me up again, his blows growing more and more violent, until I was covered with blood,” (60). Wiesel wants to show how cruel the kapos behave in the camp.

INCORRECT

Steinbeck explained that the friendship between George and Lennie was stronger than it was before. George repected Lennie now, even though in their past he played tricks on him like telling him to jump in the dangerous river.

CORRECT!Steinbeck explains that the friendship between George and Lennie is stronger than it was before. George respects Lennie now, *even though in their past he played tricks on him like telling him to jump in the dangerous river. *OR even though in their past he played tricks on him like when he told him to jump in the dangerous river.