Essay On This Is A Photograph Of Me By Margaret Atwood

Irony in a Photograph The poem “This is a Photograph of Me” by Margaret Atwood starts off in detail about a photograph. She describes the image quality and then moves on to the background of the photo. Describing the corners, the lake and low hills beyond the picture. When you continue to read, Margaret then suddenly describes the lake where she drowned the day before. “I am in the lake, in the center / of the picture, just under the surface” (17-18). Margaret Atwood makes sure the reader doesn’t overlook those that are responsible for the picture, rather than those who are in the picture. Throughout the poem, Margaret Atwood uses many elements of poetry; such as: syntax, diction, and imagery. The overall syntax and choice of words is simple. Throughout the poem, there is no punctuation and the word choice is incomplex. The poem “This is a Photograph of Me” is very ironic. The title is a crucial part of the text. Setting the tone, the title is very clear and straightforward, like the rest of the poem. The tone of the poem starts out obscure and

Atwood uses diction in the poem by including metaphors and alliteration. Unknowingly, Margaret Atwood effortlessly uses alliterations in “This is a Photograph of Me”; such as “thing that” (8) and “long look” (24). The author also incorporates metaphors in the poem. “The effect of water / on light is a distortion” (22-23). These two lines mean that the woman provided light to the others during their service; however, society alters it. While reading about the photograph, the picture slowly leads to the realization of death. With her choice of words, a feminist’s perspective is noticed. Women have always been looked down on and Margaret Atwood emphasizes that all women perform as the additive to the to the photograph of society. Her goal is to encourage people to not limit themselves and notice the importance and usefulness of