Literary Techniques: Poetry Analysis 1 Diction and Imagery

Literary Techniques The meaning of a poem (i.e its focus, mood and the speaker’s attitude) is enhanced by four main types of literary techniques: Diction Imagery Sound devices Rhythm, Rhyme and Repetition

Diction Diction is the choice of words a poet uses to bring meaning across. In working through a poem, it is useful to question why a certain word is used, and what kind of effect is achieved with the choice and placement of the word.

“A rosy shield upon its back, That not the hardest storm could crack.” Analyze a word by its literal meaning first, then state whether there is an implied meaning based on its context: “A rosy shield upon its back, That not the hardest storm could crack.” “The Dead Crab” by Andrew Young Why is “a rosy shield” used to describe the crab’s shell instead of “a hard cover”?

Besides its implied meaning, diction also adds to the mood and attitude of a poem; the choice of words may be used to evoke a feeling within the reader. They may also hint at the poet / speaker’s attitude towards the issue:

“These, in the day when heaven was falling, The hour when the earth’s foundation fled, Followed their mercenary calling And took their wages and are dead.” A. E. Houseman Why is the use of the word “mercenary” paradoxical, especially with “calling”?

The Highway Man The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,     The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,     The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,     And the highwayman came riding—                       Riding—riding—     The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

How is the setting described How is the setting described? How does the diction heighten the atmosphere of the poem? How does the diction contribute to the rhythm of the poem?

Imagery Imagery is a picture in our minds created by words and one of the most effective ways of doing this is to use comparisons. Poets often compare one thing to another thing which the reader already knows or is familiar with, so as to create a stronger impression on the reader.

There are generally three main techniques used in imagery: Similes Metaphors Personification

Simile Shows a comparison between one quality of an object and that of another. Connecting verbs such as “like” or “as” may be used. For example: “Jim walks like a duck” (A’s behavior is like B’s)

Metaphor Shows a comparison between one object and another. For example: “Jim is a duck” (A is B) A metaphor is richer in meaning because it embraces all qualities of the object compared with, not just one quality.

How do we analyze a simile or a metaphor? Identify if it is a simile or a metaphor? Identify which object is being compared (A)? What is it being compared to (B)? Describe characteristics of B to understand what is implied about A.

Phrase Metaphor or Simile? What is A and what is B? Implied meaning 1. “I wandered lonely as a cloud” William Wordsworth 2. “My parents kept me from children who were rough / And who threw words like stones” Stephen Spender 3. “Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly.” Langston Hughes

I know what my heart is like Since your love died: It is like a hollow ledge Holding a little pool Left there by the tide, A little tepid pool, Drying inward from the edge. Edna St Vincent Millay

Personification This is a type of metaphor that occurs when non-human things (objects, animals, a feeling or an abstract idea) are given a human attribute.

Autumn A touch of cold in the Autumn night – I walked abroad, And saw the ruddy moon lean over a hedge, Like a red-faced farmer. I did not stop to speak, but nodded, And round about were the wistful stars With white faces like town children. Thomas Ernest Hume

How does the use of personification contribute to the mood of the poem? Line no. What is personified? Implied meaning? Contribution to mood

Harlem What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore – And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over – Like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags Like a heavy load. Or does it explode? Langston Hughes

How does the poet use imagery to help the reader understand his poem better? Discuss the significance of the title in the poem.

The End Thank-you!