Moonburn Figurative Language Essay

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In our lives, we sometimes find ourselves burning in paroxysm; a hot-blooded, impulsive, and impassioned version of ourselves. Some choose to express these emotions in words. Take Marge Piercy as example; she wrote a poem on the basis of love. In Marge Piercy’s Moonburn, she uses vigorous and engaging language, and contrasting symmetrical stanza length to convey the effect of tempestuous passion, and state that love can take over our lives. First, Piercy uses vigorous word choice to help create the effect of tempestuousness and passion. Phrases such as “Silvered with lust,” “Storming,” “Bruises,” “Desire sandpapers,” and “Lodge” are associated with strong and intense connections to the world. The words bring back strong experiences the reader has had, and tying it to do poem further immerses the reader in the effect. In addition, the word being used reflect her passionate emotions. The reader relates with the author’s passion, and …show more content…

The comparisons allow the reader to have a better understanding of the context, where they then fall into the effect. To illustrate, “Dreams flick like minnows through my eyes,” “My voice is trees tossing in the wind,” “I lose myself like a flock of blackbirds storming into your face,” and “The night is our fur. We curl inside it licking,” portray the emotion and ferocity in a way the reader can relate to. For this, the reader then falls into the effect. Directly related to figurative language is imagery. Piercy uses imagery by portraying real world images that are easy to visualize. For readers, a visual and pictorial understanding of the context results in a more depth understanding of situation, and enhances the emotion behind it. Images of “blackbird storming,” or “dreams flick like minnows through my eyes” are sudden, energetic, and full of life. The details and vividness are painted in the reader's

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