In Mrs Tilscher’s Class Carol Ann Duffy Imagery

Simile Metaphor Personification Imagery Imagery is language that is not meant to be taken literally and involves a comparison The comparison adds something to the writing, conveying an image and/or an idea The three main types are: Simile Metaphor Personification

Simile A comparison between two different things that uses the words ‘as’ or ‘like’.

Example of a simile Sandy Shaw: If you say you love me madly I'll gladly be there Like a puppet on a string Qualities of a puppet Control

Metaphor A comparison between two different things that does not use ‘as’ or ‘like’. Metaphor is a stronger comparison than a simile because you are saying something IS something else (not just that it is like it)

Soft! What light through yonder window breaks? Example of a metaphor Romeo: Soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun. Qualities of the sun Romeo’s feeling for Juliet Innocent view of love?

Personification When something not human is given human-like qualities

Example of personification The leaves danced in the wind on the cold October afternoon. When do humans dance? What kind of atmosphere does this suggest?

Personification A kind of metaphor where an object (or animal) is given human characteristics The clue is in the name: personification The object/animal is described as if it is a person

Which of these are personification? The shadows from the candle trembled on the wall The engine purred as the car sped away He shot out of his seat like a rocket The toaster angrily spat out the burnt toast The dark windows watched her with suspicious eyes

* Personification The shadows from the candle trembled on the wall * The engine purred as the car sped away He shot out of his seat like a rocket The toaster angrily spat out the burnt toast * The dark windows watched her with suspicious eyes *

Imagery recap Imagery is language that is not meant to be taken literally and involves a comparison The comparison adds something to the writing, conveying an image and/or an idea The three main types are:

Now identify any examples of imagery you can find in the poem. Underline the example and annotate it by identifying the kind of imagery used (simile, metaphor or personification). Also, note down why the imagery used is effective.

Analysing Imagery When you have completed this, pick two examples and answer the five questions below: 1. What kind of imagery is used? 2. What is being compared to what? 3. What are the qualities of the thing it is being compared to? 4. What does this tell us about the first thing? 5. How does this relate to the poem’s theme, or how does it help us to understand the theme?

“the laugh of a bell swung by a running child” Type of imagery? Why did the poet pick this particular image? What does this tell us about the sound the bell makes? What are the connotations/associations of the word ‘laugh’ What kind of atmosphere does this create?

“a skittle of milk” Type of imagery? Why use this comparison? Image Connotations? Adds to what kind of atmosphere? Relates to what theme(s)

“A xylophone’s nonsense…”