Metaphors are widely used throughout poetry to not only creatively express an idea or an emotion, but to also saturate the meaning of a poem by arousing feelings. Certain comparisons between one concept and another may unsettle or enlighten a reader, or they could even possibly do both, as some metaphors can even bring clarity to a concept for the reader. Some argue that the stronger a poem makes you feel, the better it is. This opinion applies well to poets who can creatively express similarities that could appeal to mostly anyone in varying ways. Anne Stevenson's, "The Demolition" is nearly an entire metaphor from start to finish. She uses many different comparisons, as well as provocative words of personification, within the main metaphor
to deepen the feelings that are already looming after the first two lines. A poet may use different concepts throughout their poem to relate to a general idea;
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If her "cellar" is her heart and that is the base of their house and relationship, then battering it could be extremely detrimental. The word "battery" suggests violence, and possibly anger. His anger could be one of the primary causes of her internal hatred, and it could possibly even be why the hatred is internalized in the first place. Because the house, or the relationship, is no longer being maintained, the floors remain unkempt and the environment is slovenly. Their dying intimacy has caused him to camp on her carpet, rather than to sleep in their bed with her. Yet, on her way to their bed, she "cries on his stairs" (8), and the reader could infer that, by using all of the previous information, their relationship is dying from constant arguments and just general hopelessness.
Anne Stevenson created a tragically beautiful scene by comparing a home to a relationship. Her use of metaphors and tone is striking to the sense of emotion, however that emotion fades easily when the poem is picked apart for what it really is. The reader is
A good example would be when the mother in the story talks about her life using a metaphor of a staircase. In the beginning of the poem, the mother says, "Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, [...] But all the time, I’se been a-climbin’ on" (Hughes lines 1-9). This metaphor describes the mother's life experience, the reader can infer was hard, but the nice part of this excerpt is the final lines, where the metaphor of continuing to climb on the staircase is used to symbolize the mother's goal to persevere, no matter how tough life gets because she believes her efforts will accomplish something good.
In the book, the author has used several metaphors to make the book to be more interesting for the readers of the book. Additionally, the author of the book has used metaphors to bring about some of the meanings in the story. This has made it easy for the readers to be able to understand what they are reading. In conjunction to this, the author has used the metaphors to bring out the character traits of some characters like Janie and Joe in the book. Therefore, it is through metaphors that the book has been very interesting and easy to understand.
Louise, the unfortunate spouse of Brently Mallard dies of a supposed “heart disease.” Upon the doctor’s diagnosis, it is the death of a “joy that kills.” This is a paradox of happiness resulting into a dreadful ending. Nevertheless, in reality it is actually the other way around. Of which, is the irony of Louise dying due to her suffering from a massive amount of depression knowing her husband is not dead, but alive. This is the prime example to show how women are unfairly treated. If it is logical enough for a wife to be this jovial about her husband’s mournful state of life then she must be in a marriage of never-ending nightmares. This shows how terribly the wife is being exploited due her gender in the relationship. As a result of a female being treated or perceived in such a manner, she will often times lose herself like the “girl
The poet Willis Barnstone begins a poem with this line: "Why must I always see the death in things?" My poem would begin, "Why must I always see the metaphor in things?" If I have any intellectual strength it is in seeing connections between unlikely ideas, theories, and concepts. I sit in classes, in front of the television, in front of books and my brain constantly tries to see how what I donít understand relates to, is like, compares to things I already know about. Part of the poetic process is to be on the lookout constantly for these metaphors, these comparisons between unlike things constantly, as (in a metaphorical sense) a mechanic might hear a car coming down the street and from the noise of the engine discern a kind of secret knowledge, an awareness, that is lost on other hearers.
“It was a large, beautiful room, rich and picturesque in the soft, dim light which the maid had turned low. She went and stood at an open window and looked out upon the deep tangle of the garden below. All the mystery and witchery of the night seemed to have gathered there amid the perfumes and the dusky and tortuous outlines of flowers and foliage. She was seeking herself and finding herself in just such sweet half-darkness which met her moods. But the voices were not soothing that came to her from the darkness and the sky above and the stars. They jeered and sounded mourning notes without promise, devoid even of hope. She turned back into the room and began to walk to and fro, down its whole length, without stopping, without resting. She carried in her hands a thin handkerchief, which she tore into ribbons, rolled into a ball, and flung from her. Once she stopped, and taking off her wedding ring, flung it upon the carpet. When she saw it lying there she stamped her heel upon it, striving to crush it. But her small boot heel did not make an indenture, not a mark upon the glittering circlet.
Right from the moment Louise Mallard hears of her husband's death, Kate Chopin dives into a her vivid use of imagery. “When the storm of grief has spent itself” introduces a weather oriented theme (para.3). This imagery depicts a violent and dark setting that denotes death and grief. Her reaction to her husband's death ideally what society would expect. Her acute reaction instantly shows that she is an emotional, demonstrative woman. Even tho...
When writing poetry, there are many descriptive methods an author may employ to communicate an idea or concept to their audience. One of the more effective methods that authors often use is linking devices, such as metaphors and similes. Throughout “The Elder Sister,” Olds uses linking devices effectively in many ways. An effective image Olds uses is that of “the pressure of Mother’s muscles on her brain,” (5) providing a link to the mother’s expectations for her children. She also uses images of water and fluidity to demonstrate the natural progression of a child into womanhood. Another image is that of the speaker’s elder sister as a metaphorical shield, the one who protected her from the mental strain inflicted by their mother.
The author uses imagery, contrasting diction, tones, and symbols in the poem to show two very different sides of the parent-child relationship. The poem’s theme is that even though parents and teenagers may have their disagreements, there is still an underlying love that binds the family together and helps them bridge their gap that is between them.
Poems are often difficult to understand. They are written in an indirect way, but this allows authors to portray themes differently than in other pieces of literature. Various literary techniques display these themes, and the indirect way of stating them forces readers to use a deeper level of thought. T.S. Eliot, for instance, expresses a human tendency in his poem, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” By using personification, symbolism, and allusions, he displays the tendency of individuals to worry about what others will think about them, their thoughts, and their actions. This results in individuals cowering from their desire to talk to someone or present an idea.
Through metaphors, the speaker proclaims of her longing to be one with the sea. As she notices The mermaids in the basement,(3) and frigates- in the upper floor,(5) it seems as though she is associating these particular daydreams with her house. She becomes entranced with these spectacles and starts to contemplate suicide.
To begin, the reader may gather that the poem has a very dark and saddened tone. Due to Lowell's vivid imagery, a mental image of a dark urban setting is created. It also seems very cold, with the mentioning of wind and nighttime. Readers may be able to relate to urban places they know, adding to the reality of the poem. Connections can be made. The imagery is left in such a way that the reader can fill in the gaps with their own memories or settings. Also, since the poem uses free verse, the structure is left open to interpretation. This makes the poem more inviting and easier to interpret, rather than reading it as a riddle. However, though simple in imagery, the poem still captures the reader's interest due to the creation it sparks, yet it never strays away from the theme of bei...
Browning's amazing command of words and their effects makes this poem infinitely more pleasurable to the reader. Through simple, brief imagery, he is able to depict the lovers' passion, the speaker's impatience in reaching his love, and the stealth and secrecy of their meeting. He accomplishes this feat within twelve lines of specific rhyme scheme and beautiful language, never forsaking aesthetic quality for his higher purposes.
Mrs. Mallard’s repressed married life is a secret that she keeps to herself. She is not open and honest with her sister Josephine who has shown nothing but concern. This is clearly evident in the great care that her sister and husband’s friend Richard show to break the news of her husband’s tragic death as gently as they can. They think that she is so much in love with him that hearing the news of his death would aggravate her poor heart condition and lead to death. Little do they know that she did not love him dearly at all and in fact took the news in a very positive way, opening her arms to welcome a new life without her husband. This can be seen in the fact that when she storms into her room and her focus shifts drastically from that of her husband’s death to nature that is symbolic of new life and possibilities awaiting her. Her senses came to life; they come alive to the beauty in the nature. Her eyes could reach the vastness of the sky; she could smell the delicious breath of rain in the air; and ears became attentive to a song f...
She defines her idea of what is right in a relationship by describing how hard and painful it is for her to stray from that ideal in this instance. As the poem evolves, one can begin to see the author having a conflict with values, while simultaneously expressing which values are hers and which are unnatural to her. She accomplishes this accounting of values by personalizing her position in a somewhat unsettling way throughout the poem.
The human heart is a remarkably powerful thing. It pushes people, beating faster every time it is necessary, and will not quit even if told to do so. Most importantly, one’s heart undoubtedly keeps that person alive and in motion. The timeless concept of “speaking through your heart” is apparent through many mediums: singing, writing, and obviously talking are only a few of these methods of communication. Although when someone is put out to be cryptic, unapproachable, and even dark, others may have a hard time listening to someone talk through their heart. However, one person that I am certain can attract people to listen to what his heart has to say is Edgar Allan Poe and his literature. With that being said, when I hear the words Edgar Allan Poe escape from someone’s mouth, I imagine a mysterious and not quite understood, yet vastly known man with fiery and passionate inner emotions. Many did view him as a strange and arcane person through his writings, and continue to do so today. No matter what others’ thoughts are concerning Poe as a living being, very few can deny the depth of the intense, profound emotions he expresses through his heartfelt writings. Therefore I can conclude that his poem, “Annabel Lee,” is a direct reference to the unquestioningly interesting life he led, as well as the deep love he possessed for his wife, Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe.