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Sylvia Plath Literary Devices
The Importance of Literary Devices
Poetry has a great value for human beings. Poems can make us feel happy, sad, hopeless or full of
enthusiasm. But what really makes a strong poem is the use of literary devices. The use of
metaphor, imagery and capitalization in the poems "Daddy", "Kinky", and "The Boy Died in my
Alley "are indispensable to establish a real and deep relationship between readers and writers.
Without these important devices I am, as a reader, won't be able to visualize and understand the
author's point of view.
The poem "Daddy", written by Sylvia Plath, is a good example of how the author uses the
imagery and metaphors to express her feelings. Using these literary resources, she wants the
readers to be aware of her suffering but in the best possible way, using a figurative language. The use
of imagery is evident in this poem. For example, "You died before I had time–/Marble–heavy, a bag
full of God, /Ghastly statue with one gray toe/Big as a Frisco seal "(lines7–10). These dark words
make me think that she is describing the cold and grey dead body of her father. This stanza also
makes me feel a strong connection with her because I remembered that hard moment in which I lose
an important family member, a moment that will never erase from my mind. Another important line
of imaginary is: "But no less a devil for that, no not/Any less the black man who/bit my pretty red
heart in two" (54–56). She is referring to her feeling of sadness because her husband as well as her
father did degrade her and did not take in consideration her professional work. Even though is not
my personal situation, is common to hear about women that suffer violence, most of the time
cause for her husband. The use of the Holocaust as imagery is also evident in this poem. "A Jew
to Dachau, Auschwitz, Belsen" (33). She is describing the moment in which Jews were transported
to Dachau, Auschwitz, and Belsen. The author is also talking about the big dimension of the
Holocaust, not only for the mechanical efficiency with which it took place, also for a large
number of people who died. Reading this part of the poem, I feel a lot of courage. I can not forget
the big amount of people who died in these cruel circumstances. "An
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Literary Devices In Medea
When Love Backfires
Euripides' Medea is a tragic play that takes place in Corinth, Greece. It was first produced in 431 BC.
It was during this time that Corinth and Athens were rivals, fighting to have the upper hand. In fact,
Corinth and Sparta teamed together against Athens during the Peloponnesian War in 431 BC. Like
most literature, Euripides' Medea incorporates the period in which it was written along with a
timeless theme. Euripdes uses the literary devices of setting, irony, and symbolism to depict the
theme of identity in relation to marriage.
The play Medea uses the setting to help the audience better understand the meaning of the text.
What is said depends greatly on who is around and where the character(s) are. For example, when
Medea is by herself or with the chorus, she is speaking freely of her evil plans, however, when
she was in the presences of Creon or Jason, she lied to their faces. The audience knows what her
true thoughts and feelings are due to the setting. They are not tricked into thinking she has
changed her mind but instead, they know when she is lying based on who she is around. After
Medea devised a plan, she sent for Jason and pleades to him, "Jason, I ask you to forgive me for
the things I said before. You're used to putting up with my temper, since so many acts of love
have passed between us..." (Medea, 870). This quote is a perfect example of how the setting
changes the meaning of the words. This helps portray the overall them of identity. Medea is now
full of rage and anger due to her husband leaving her for another woman. She has lost her sense of
identity which was found in her husband. She is a refugee in Corinth and has no friends or family.
She feels completely alone with nowhere else to turn but to anger and rage.
The literary device of irony is strategically used throughout the entire play. The irony within the
text works in Medea because the audience understands Medea's thoughts and plans while the
characters within the play do not. For instance, Jason says, "I will not carry on this quarrel any
longer. But if you want to take me up on my offer of money for the children or your own exile say
so, I am ready to be generous to you..." (Medea, 610). What Jason does not
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Literary Devices In Macbeth
Words are powerful. They can express thoughts. They can manipulate. They can drive a man to
commit murder. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, through her eloquent diction and
rhetoric, compels Macbeth to murder anyone in his way to becoming king. An idea that was once
abstract and theoretical becomes a reality.
Macbeth, upon returning from battle, encounters three witches. The first witch greets him as
Thane of Glamis, a title he currently holds. The second witch greets him as Thane of Cawdor,
and the third tells him that he will be king. Macbeth is confused as to how it is possible for him to
be Thane of Cawdor and king, knowing that both titles are filled. It is not until Ross tells him that
the current Thane of Cawdor is to be executed, that Macbeth considers the validity of the witches'
prophecies. He questions his ability to become king, saying " If good, why do I yield to that
suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my rubs,
against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings" (Act 1, scene 3). He is
unsure as to whether or not he is capable of killing to become king, to such an extent that the thought
of doing anything repulses him.
From what we know about Macbeth's character thus far, he is a valiant and honorable hero. When
we are first introduced to Macbeth, it is during a conversation between Duncan and a sergeant. The
sergeant, covered in blood after returning from battle, tells Duncan
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Literary Devices In Poetry
Literature is never original. In one way or another, one text alludes to a previous text which in turn
alludes to a previous. Common reoccurring allusions are to the Bible, Greek mythology,
Shakespeare, or other writers. Themes such as; faith, childhood, love, and loneliness, are repeated
and expanded upon in a wide variety of ways in all genres of literature but none as unique as poetry.
Poetry is often regarded as one of the more difficult forms of literature, it employs an array of
techniques which allows each poem to express a theme or idea, although reoccurring or clichГ©, in
its own particular light that brings a new perspective to the subject matter. The subject of death is as
old as time itself. Throughout the years people have expressed many different emotions through
poetry regarding death. In Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gentle into that good night", John Donne'
"Death be not proud", and Emily Dickenson's "Because I could not stop for Death," it can be
observed the different and similar techniques used to portray like or contrasting ideas of death.
Techniques such as; literary devices, form, and diction, are used to evoke like and different ideas
surrounding the topic of death. In Donne's sonnet "Death be not proud", the overall portrayal of
"death" is that it is something that is weak and has no control over humans or human nature. Sonnets
are set up in a systematic why that aids in the poem's analysis; Shakespearean sonnets, such as
Donne's, are comprised of three
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Literary Devices In Literature
Literature is important just as important in today's society as it was in past societies. An entire
culture exists within the written words that are placed on paper by poets writers and novelist.
Literature is used to inspire, waken, or transform one's ideas or thoughts and can take you on a
imaginary journey. Literary study involves the four processes of reading, thinking, discussing,
and writing. Studying literature can increase one's knowledge, actively and intellectually
challenging the way someone looks at the world. Literature increases a readers awareness of
cultural values, history, sociology, psychology, and almost every branch of human knowledge.
Literary devices are used to promote the reader's imagination. Literature devices are used by the
writer to set a tone or theme to their stories. From the very beginning of time humans beings have
been sharing stories and literary devices have played a key role in our history. Story telling has
evolved and the use of literary elements and literary techniques have played a large role in how a
writer develop their poems or stories. Literary elements are the "universal constituents of
literature"(literary devices, n.d.) and be found in any oral or written story. Plots, settings, and
characters are a necessity and needed if a story is to work. The plot is a series of events and
character actions that relate to the central conflict. The character is a person, animal, or item who
takes part in the action of a short story or
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Literary Devices
In the short stories "Stones" and "To Every Thing There is a Season" the authors Sandra Birdsell
and Alistair MacLeod both use literary devices in a similar manner in order to achieve their
thematic objectives. This essay will compare the way the authors use three literary devices such
as imagery, metaphor and similes in their short stories to portray the thematic objective of loss of
innocence. The first literary device used by both of the authors in order to portray their thematic
objective of loss of innocence is imagery. Imagery is the figurative language used by the author to
give the reader a visual description of the objects or situations in their literary work. In the short
story "Stones", Sandra Birdsell uses imagery to describe the physical appearances of one of the
main character's named Mrs.Hallman. Mrs. Hallman was described by the author as "tall and
slim, her red toenails sticking the end of her white sandals and she smelled like sweet William
that grew in a patch beside the back patch" (pg173). As shown in the quotation the author uses
descriptive words to enable the reader to imagine the character of interest. As an example, the
authors use of words gives the reader an image of how beautiful and fashionable of a person
Mrs.Hallman is and how sweet and strong the smell of her perfume is. On the other hand, in the
short story "To Every Thing There Is a Reason" Alistair MacLeod uses imagery to describe places
and events that took place in the story. She
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Examples Of Literary Devices
Complementing Stories Using Literary Devices Literary devices are used by readers and authors to
convey, analyze, and interpret literary works. Symbolism, foreshadowing, tone, and theme are just a
few of the many tools authors use to transport your mind in their story. Often times, regardless of the
author's intentions, stories somehow find themselves linked by the use of said tools. Hawthorne and
Jackson did not create these stories to enhance one another's shared dark plot, but through the use of
symbolism, tone, and foreshadowing readers can see the similarities and differences between "Young
Goodman Brown" and "The Lottery". Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or
qualities (Webster). Symbols are used throughout each of the two short stories to define the themes.
In "Young Goodman Brown", Hawthorne uses objects and names to really enhance and define the
topic. They are used to describe religion, both good and bad. The...show more content...
The irony of the setting soon sets in after the first page is turned. The language Jackson uses
contributes to the nervousness felt as the story progresses. A great example of this is Jackson's
description of Mrs. Delacroix, "She held her breath as her husband went forward" (Jackson, 1948).
This tone that is set throughout the story proves the anticipation, stress, and pure horror the town
undergoes. In contrast, "Young Goodman Brown" opens with a more dull, basic description;
"Young Goodman Brown came forth at sunset into the street of Salem Village" (Hawthorne, 1835,
p. 187). This somber and serious tone is continued through the duration of the story. Using words
such as "evil", "melancholy", "grave", and "dreary", Hawthorne draws the reader to assume there is
no hope in coming back from the darkness found within Brown, Salem, and its
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

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Literary Devices Essay

  • 1. Sylvia Plath Literary Devices The Importance of Literary Devices Poetry has a great value for human beings. Poems can make us feel happy, sad, hopeless or full of enthusiasm. But what really makes a strong poem is the use of literary devices. The use of metaphor, imagery and capitalization in the poems "Daddy", "Kinky", and "The Boy Died in my Alley "are indispensable to establish a real and deep relationship between readers and writers. Without these important devices I am, as a reader, won't be able to visualize and understand the author's point of view. The poem "Daddy", written by Sylvia Plath, is a good example of how the author uses the imagery and metaphors to express her feelings. Using these literary resources, she wants the readers to be aware of her suffering but in the best possible way, using a figurative language. The use of imagery is evident in this poem. For example, "You died before I had time–/Marble–heavy, a bag full of God, /Ghastly statue with one gray toe/Big as a Frisco seal "(lines7–10). These dark words make me think that she is describing the cold and grey dead body of her father. This stanza also makes me feel a strong connection with her because I remembered that hard moment in which I lose an important family member, a moment that will never erase from my mind. Another important line of imaginary is: "But no less a devil for that, no not/Any less the black man who/bit my pretty red heart in two" (54–56). She is referring to her feeling of sadness because her husband as well as her father did degrade her and did not take in consideration her professional work. Even though is not my personal situation, is common to hear about women that suffer violence, most of the time cause for her husband. The use of the Holocaust as imagery is also evident in this poem. "A Jew to Dachau, Auschwitz, Belsen" (33). She is describing the moment in which Jews were transported to Dachau, Auschwitz, and Belsen. The author is also talking about the big dimension of the Holocaust, not only for the mechanical efficiency with which it took place, also for a large number of people who died. Reading this part of the poem, I feel a lot of courage. I can not forget the big amount of people who died in these cruel circumstances. "An Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 2. Literary Devices In Medea When Love Backfires Euripides' Medea is a tragic play that takes place in Corinth, Greece. It was first produced in 431 BC. It was during this time that Corinth and Athens were rivals, fighting to have the upper hand. In fact, Corinth and Sparta teamed together against Athens during the Peloponnesian War in 431 BC. Like most literature, Euripides' Medea incorporates the period in which it was written along with a timeless theme. Euripdes uses the literary devices of setting, irony, and symbolism to depict the theme of identity in relation to marriage. The play Medea uses the setting to help the audience better understand the meaning of the text. What is said depends greatly on who is around and where the character(s) are. For example, when Medea is by herself or with the chorus, she is speaking freely of her evil plans, however, when she was in the presences of Creon or Jason, she lied to their faces. The audience knows what her true thoughts and feelings are due to the setting. They are not tricked into thinking she has changed her mind but instead, they know when she is lying based on who she is around. After Medea devised a plan, she sent for Jason and pleades to him, "Jason, I ask you to forgive me for the things I said before. You're used to putting up with my temper, since so many acts of love have passed between us..." (Medea, 870). This quote is a perfect example of how the setting changes the meaning of the words. This helps portray the overall them of identity. Medea is now full of rage and anger due to her husband leaving her for another woman. She has lost her sense of identity which was found in her husband. She is a refugee in Corinth and has no friends or family. She feels completely alone with nowhere else to turn but to anger and rage. The literary device of irony is strategically used throughout the entire play. The irony within the text works in Medea because the audience understands Medea's thoughts and plans while the characters within the play do not. For instance, Jason says, "I will not carry on this quarrel any longer. But if you want to take me up on my offer of money for the children or your own exile say so, I am ready to be generous to you..." (Medea, 610). What Jason does not Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 3. Literary Devices In Macbeth Words are powerful. They can express thoughts. They can manipulate. They can drive a man to commit murder. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, through her eloquent diction and rhetoric, compels Macbeth to murder anyone in his way to becoming king. An idea that was once abstract and theoretical becomes a reality. Macbeth, upon returning from battle, encounters three witches. The first witch greets him as Thane of Glamis, a title he currently holds. The second witch greets him as Thane of Cawdor, and the third tells him that he will be king. Macbeth is confused as to how it is possible for him to be Thane of Cawdor and king, knowing that both titles are filled. It is not until Ross tells him that the current Thane of Cawdor is to be executed, that Macbeth considers the validity of the witches' prophecies. He questions his ability to become king, saying " If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my rubs, against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings" (Act 1, scene 3). He is unsure as to whether or not he is capable of killing to become king, to such an extent that the thought of doing anything repulses him. From what we know about Macbeth's character thus far, he is a valiant and honorable hero. When we are first introduced to Macbeth, it is during a conversation between Duncan and a sergeant. The sergeant, covered in blood after returning from battle, tells Duncan Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 4. Literary Devices In Poetry Literature is never original. In one way or another, one text alludes to a previous text which in turn alludes to a previous. Common reoccurring allusions are to the Bible, Greek mythology, Shakespeare, or other writers. Themes such as; faith, childhood, love, and loneliness, are repeated and expanded upon in a wide variety of ways in all genres of literature but none as unique as poetry. Poetry is often regarded as one of the more difficult forms of literature, it employs an array of techniques which allows each poem to express a theme or idea, although reoccurring or clichГ©, in its own particular light that brings a new perspective to the subject matter. The subject of death is as old as time itself. Throughout the years people have expressed many different emotions through poetry regarding death. In Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gentle into that good night", John Donne' "Death be not proud", and Emily Dickenson's "Because I could not stop for Death," it can be observed the different and similar techniques used to portray like or contrasting ideas of death. Techniques such as; literary devices, form, and diction, are used to evoke like and different ideas surrounding the topic of death. In Donne's sonnet "Death be not proud", the overall portrayal of "death" is that it is something that is weak and has no control over humans or human nature. Sonnets are set up in a systematic why that aids in the poem's analysis; Shakespearean sonnets, such as Donne's, are comprised of three Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 5. Literary Devices In Literature Literature is important just as important in today's society as it was in past societies. An entire culture exists within the written words that are placed on paper by poets writers and novelist. Literature is used to inspire, waken, or transform one's ideas or thoughts and can take you on a imaginary journey. Literary study involves the four processes of reading, thinking, discussing, and writing. Studying literature can increase one's knowledge, actively and intellectually challenging the way someone looks at the world. Literature increases a readers awareness of cultural values, history, sociology, psychology, and almost every branch of human knowledge. Literary devices are used to promote the reader's imagination. Literature devices are used by the writer to set a tone or theme to their stories. From the very beginning of time humans beings have been sharing stories and literary devices have played a key role in our history. Story telling has evolved and the use of literary elements and literary techniques have played a large role in how a writer develop their poems or stories. Literary elements are the "universal constituents of literature"(literary devices, n.d.) and be found in any oral or written story. Plots, settings, and characters are a necessity and needed if a story is to work. The plot is a series of events and character actions that relate to the central conflict. The character is a person, animal, or item who takes part in the action of a short story or Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 6. Literary Devices In the short stories "Stones" and "To Every Thing There is a Season" the authors Sandra Birdsell and Alistair MacLeod both use literary devices in a similar manner in order to achieve their thematic objectives. This essay will compare the way the authors use three literary devices such as imagery, metaphor and similes in their short stories to portray the thematic objective of loss of innocence. The first literary device used by both of the authors in order to portray their thematic objective of loss of innocence is imagery. Imagery is the figurative language used by the author to give the reader a visual description of the objects or situations in their literary work. In the short story "Stones", Sandra Birdsell uses imagery to describe the physical appearances of one of the main character's named Mrs.Hallman. Mrs. Hallman was described by the author as "tall and slim, her red toenails sticking the end of her white sandals and she smelled like sweet William that grew in a patch beside the back patch" (pg173). As shown in the quotation the author uses descriptive words to enable the reader to imagine the character of interest. As an example, the authors use of words gives the reader an image of how beautiful and fashionable of a person Mrs.Hallman is and how sweet and strong the smell of her perfume is. On the other hand, in the short story "To Every Thing There Is a Reason" Alistair MacLeod uses imagery to describe places and events that took place in the story. She Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 7. Examples Of Literary Devices Complementing Stories Using Literary Devices Literary devices are used by readers and authors to convey, analyze, and interpret literary works. Symbolism, foreshadowing, tone, and theme are just a few of the many tools authors use to transport your mind in their story. Often times, regardless of the author's intentions, stories somehow find themselves linked by the use of said tools. Hawthorne and Jackson did not create these stories to enhance one another's shared dark plot, but through the use of symbolism, tone, and foreshadowing readers can see the similarities and differences between "Young Goodman Brown" and "The Lottery". Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities (Webster). Symbols are used throughout each of the two short stories to define the themes. In "Young Goodman Brown", Hawthorne uses objects and names to really enhance and define the topic. They are used to describe religion, both good and bad. The...show more content... The irony of the setting soon sets in after the first page is turned. The language Jackson uses contributes to the nervousness felt as the story progresses. A great example of this is Jackson's description of Mrs. Delacroix, "She held her breath as her husband went forward" (Jackson, 1948). This tone that is set throughout the story proves the anticipation, stress, and pure horror the town undergoes. In contrast, "Young Goodman Brown" opens with a more dull, basic description; "Young Goodman Brown came forth at sunset into the street of Salem Village" (Hawthorne, 1835, p. 187). This somber and serious tone is continued through the duration of the story. Using words such as "evil", "melancholy", "grave", and "dreary", Hawthorne draws the reader to assume there is no hope in coming back from the darkness found within Brown, Salem, and its Get more content on HelpWriting.net