8 Poems Flashcards
“Nothing beside remains”
Caesura emphasises futility of his power
“The lone and level sands stretch far away”
Plosive sounds emphasise the absolute power and force that nature has over mankind
“He had never returned,
that this was no longer the father we loved”
Caesura emphasises the father’s isolation and rejection by everyone he knew and loved
“Shoals of fishes flashing silver as their bellies swivelled towards the sun”
The use of vivid imagery suggests that the speaker decided to escape death and instead admire nature’s beauty.
“But nothing happens”
Repetition highlights the lack of control humans have over their situation
“The merciless iced east winds that knive us”
Personification highlights the idea of nature’s cruelty and aggression
“Spits like a tamed cat turned savage”
Simile highlights the intensity and aggression of nature’s actions
“It is a huge nothing that we fear”
Oxymoron connotes that nature is dangerous because of its uncertainty
Rhyme scheme
The lack of rhyme scheme relates to the omnipotence of nature.
“His bloody life in my bloody hands”
Repetition emphasises the intense emotional and moral weight that the speaker feels regarding the impact of their actions on another person’s life
“End of story, except not really”
The use of irony suggests closure while hinting at ongoing consequences
“My city”
The use of repetition emphasises their personal connection and attachment to the place
“I comb its hair and love its shining eyes”
Use of personification shows that the speaker describes their country as a loved one
“Runs in blood down palace walls”
Metaphor showcases the bloodshed that the government and church are responsible for
“In every infant’s cry of fear”
Use of repetition shows the scale of suffering, everyone is affected by poverty
