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Schubert's "Ave Maria (Ellen's Song No. 3)": Poetic Structure Analysis Using the C4 Model

Received: 31 October 2025     Accepted: 28 November 2025     Published: 29 December 2025
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Abstract

This research conducts a multi-layered analysis of the poetic structure of Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria (Ellen's Song No. 3)" D.839 by individually decomposing each layer of the C4 Model (Context, Container, Component, Code). In contrast to the integrative approaches in traditional literary studies, this study aims to objectively elucidate the structural perfection of the work by individually examining the functions and interrelationships of each layer. The C4 Model, originally developed for software architecture visualization, provides a systematic framework for analyzing complex hierarchical structures. The analysis reveals a dual-axis structure in the Context layer, three-stage progression in the Container layer, emotional transition system in the Component layer, and strategic placement of linguistic techniques in the Code layer. Each layer maintains independence while producing an integrated poetic effect. The methodology employs PlantUML C4 notation for visualization and documentation, enabling precise structural mapping of poetic elements. This interdisciplinary approach demonstrates how computational methods can enhance literary analysis, offering new perspectives on classical works. The findings contribute to digital humanities scholarship by establishing a replicable framework for systematic poetic structure analysis that bridges software engineering principles with literary criticism.

Published in Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.hss.20251306.23
Page(s) 632-640
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

C4 Model Individual Analysis, Schubert, Ave Maria, Multi-layered Structure Analysis, PlantUML, Poetic Architecture, Layer-specific Functional Analysis

References
[1] Brown, Simon. "Software Architecture for Developers." LeanPub, 2012-2022.
[2] "C4 Model for Software Architecture."
[3] "C4 Model Misconceptions, Misuses & Mistakes."
[4] "PlantUML C4 Documentation." PlantUML Official Documentation.
[5] Claude 3.2 Sonnet (Anthropic AI). "AI-Assisted Structural Analysis."
[6] "HOME Classical Masterpieces: Schubert's 'Ave Maria'."
[7] Okumura, Osamu. "Structural Analysis of Schubert's 'Ave Maria' Using the C4 Model." 2025.
[8] Moretti, Franco. "Distant Reading." Verso Books, 2013.
[9] Jockers, Matthew L. "Macroanalysis: Digital Methods and Literary History." University of Illinois Press, 2013.
[10] Underwood, Ted. "Distant Horizons: Digital Evidence and Literary Change." University of Chicago Press, 2019.
[11] Piper, Andrew. "Enumerations: Data and Literary Study." University of Chicago Press, 2018.
[12] Drucker, Johanna. "The Digital Humanities Coursebook: An Introduction to Digital Methods for Research and Scholarship." Routledge, 2021.
[13] Schreibman, Susan, Ray Siemens, and John Unsworth. "A New Companion to Digital Humanities." Wiley-Blackwell, 2016.
[14] Gold, Matthew K., and Lauren F. Klein. "Debates in the Digital Humanities 2019." University of Minnesota Press, 2019.
[15] Bode, Katherine. "A World of Fiction: Digital Collections and the Future of Literary History." University of Michigan Press, 2018.
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  • APA Style

    Okumura, O. (2025). Schubert's "Ave Maria (Ellen's Song No. 3)": Poetic Structure Analysis Using the C4 Model. Humanities and Social Sciences, 13(6), 632-640. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251306.23

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    ACS Style

    Okumura, O. Schubert's "Ave Maria (Ellen's Song No. 3)": Poetic Structure Analysis Using the C4 Model. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2025, 13(6), 632-640. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20251306.23

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    AMA Style

    Okumura O. Schubert's "Ave Maria (Ellen's Song No. 3)": Poetic Structure Analysis Using the C4 Model. Humanit Soc Sci. 2025;13(6):632-640. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20251306.23

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  • @article{10.11648/j.hss.20251306.23,
      author = {Osamu Okumura},
      title = {Schubert's "Ave Maria (Ellen's Song No. 3)": Poetic Structure Analysis Using the C4 Model},
      journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
      volume = {13},
      number = {6},
      pages = {632-640},
      doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20251306.23},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251306.23},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20251306.23},
      abstract = {This research conducts a multi-layered analysis of the poetic structure of Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria (Ellen's Song No. 3)" D.839 by individually decomposing each layer of the C4 Model (Context, Container, Component, Code). In contrast to the integrative approaches in traditional literary studies, this study aims to objectively elucidate the structural perfection of the work by individually examining the functions and interrelationships of each layer. The C4 Model, originally developed for software architecture visualization, provides a systematic framework for analyzing complex hierarchical structures. The analysis reveals a dual-axis structure in the Context layer, three-stage progression in the Container layer, emotional transition system in the Component layer, and strategic placement of linguistic techniques in the Code layer. Each layer maintains independence while producing an integrated poetic effect. The methodology employs PlantUML C4 notation for visualization and documentation, enabling precise structural mapping of poetic elements. This interdisciplinary approach demonstrates how computational methods can enhance literary analysis, offering new perspectives on classical works. The findings contribute to digital humanities scholarship by establishing a replicable framework for systematic poetic structure analysis that bridges software engineering principles with literary criticism.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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    AB  - This research conducts a multi-layered analysis of the poetic structure of Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria (Ellen's Song No. 3)" D.839 by individually decomposing each layer of the C4 Model (Context, Container, Component, Code). In contrast to the integrative approaches in traditional literary studies, this study aims to objectively elucidate the structural perfection of the work by individually examining the functions and interrelationships of each layer. The C4 Model, originally developed for software architecture visualization, provides a systematic framework for analyzing complex hierarchical structures. The analysis reveals a dual-axis structure in the Context layer, three-stage progression in the Container layer, emotional transition system in the Component layer, and strategic placement of linguistic techniques in the Code layer. Each layer maintains independence while producing an integrated poetic effect. The methodology employs PlantUML C4 notation for visualization and documentation, enabling precise structural mapping of poetic elements. This interdisciplinary approach demonstrates how computational methods can enhance literary analysis, offering new perspectives on classical works. The findings contribute to digital humanities scholarship by establishing a replicable framework for systematic poetic structure analysis that bridges software engineering principles with literary criticism.
    VL  - 13
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