…metaphorical language. The “spotted shaft” is a direct, albeit brief, metaphor for the snake’s body, emphasizing its sleek, elongated form. The phrase “zero at the bone” functions as a powerful…
500 search results for "metaphor"
Power
…metaphorical language. The central contrast between poetry and rhetoric functions as a powerful metaphor, representing the transformative power of truth versus the manipulative nature of language used to obscure it….
Blackberry-Picking
…metaphorical language is present. “Summer’s blood was in it” is a powerful metaphor, equating the berry’s juice with the very essence and vitality of the summer season, suggesting life and…
To My Mother
…of affection. Metaphor: The poem uses metaphor to deepen its meaning. And fill my heart of hearts, where Death installed you “Heart of hearts” is a metaphor for the innermost,…
I Remember, I Remember
…poem’s emotional resonance. Metaphor: The line “My spirit flew in feathers then, That is so heavy now” is a striking metaphor. It compares the speaker’s youthful spirit to a bird’s…
O Me! O Life!
…of disillusionment, struggle, and the mundane aspects of human existence, making the speaker’s observations tangible and relatable. Metaphor: Life as a Play In the “Answer,” Whitman uses a powerful metaphor…
Much Madness is Divinest Sense
…metaphor symbolizes the suppression of individuality and the control exerted over those who challenge the norm. It suggests that dissenters are not reasoned with or understood, but rather silenced, restrained,…
Digging
…history. Each instance of “digging” subtly transforms the word, imbuing it with layers of meaning beyond the literal act of excavation, leading to its ultimate symbolic transformation. Symbolism and Metaphor…
To a Mouse
…device blurs the line between human and animal experience, reinforcing the poem’s theme of shared mortality. Metaphor/Extended Comparison: While not a single, explicit metaphor, the entire poem functions as an…
Siren Song
…onwards, draws the reader into the Siren’s manipulative confession. Metaphor: The central metaphor of the “bird suit” represents the Siren’s confining role, her lack of agency, and the physical and…
Lady Lazarus
…This powerful metaphor of a “strip tease” vividly portrays the voyeuristic nature of the crowd, reducing her suffering to a form of entertainment. Her body parts are exposed for public…
Birches
…wood…” The metaphor of the “pathless wood” is exceptionally powerful. It represents the confusing, disorienting, and challenging nature of life, where one can easily feel lost and without direction. The…
Lift Every Voice and Sing
…a visual of hope. Metaphor: Johnson uses metaphors to create powerful comparisons. The “bright star” is a compelling metaphor for hope, destiny, and a better future. Similarly, the “chastening rod”…
The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls
…continuation of life and the world, even after an individual’s passing. Metaphor: While not always explicitly stated, the poem uses metaphors to draw comparisons. The entire image of the rising…
When You Are Old
…unique quality of his affection. Inner Beauty Versus Outward Appearance: The poem elevates the importance of the “pilgrim soul” over physical attractiveness. This metaphorical concept represents the essence of a…
In Flanders Fields
…human quality of “bravery.” This suggests a resilience and persistence of life, even in the face of overwhelming danger and sorrow. Metaphor: A metaphor makes a direct comparison between two…
When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be
…for profound contemplation and hinting at the grand, romantic narratives the speaker wishes to explore. Metaphor: Unveiling Deeper Meanings The poem relies heavily on extended metaphors to convey complex ideas….
Dulce et Decorum Est
…a man in fire or lime,” conveying immense pain and a desperate, futile struggle. The comparison to “lime” suggests the corrosive, burning effect of the gas. Metaphor: The gas-filled air…
Death, Be Not Proud
…defeated through logic and faith. Undermining Death’s Authority: Metaphors and Similes Donne masterfully uses metaphor and simile to diminish Death’s power by comparing it to less significant, even pleasant, experiences….
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
…restriction. Its existence is defined by confinement and the denial of natural rights. The bird “stands on the grave of dreams,” a powerful metaphor suggesting that its aspirations and potential…