A Quick Lesson on Comparative Poetic Devices
Let's take a look at 4 poetic devices. These devices can be found across the 20 poems that you must study to prepare for your CSEC English B exams.
Metaphor
A metaphor, as a means of comparison, states that one thing is something else. The point is to highlight one or more shared attributes between two things.
- In lines 1-2 of "Test Match, Sabina Park", the Englishman is said to wear the rosette of his skin. This is an explicit metaphor in which the speaker’s race is compared to a rosette.
- In "West Indies, U.S.A.", line 26, the city of San Juan is said to have “pulsing city streets.” This is an implicit metaphor in which the streets seem to be compared to a heart.
Simile
The simile uses "as" or "like" to compare two things. A simile does not say that one thing is another, but instead says that one thing is as or like another.
- In "West Indies, U.S.A.", line 32, the roads of San Juan are said to be like twisted wires.
- In "Once Upon a Time", lines 20-24, the speaker says he had to learn how to wear many faces like dresses.
Symbolism
Symbolism occurs when an object, action, animal, or person represents a deeper meaning or significance.
- In "Birdshooting Season", throughout the poem, the birds may be symbols that represent the women who are oppressed by the men.
- In "South", lines 35-36, the gulls might represent the bright future that the returning resident can now look forward to enjoying.
Synecdoche
The synecdoche compares one thing with something that is physically a part of it, or something that it is physically a part of it.
- In line 8 of "Death, be not Proud", through synecdoche, men’s bones are used to represent the men themselves (or their bodies).
- In line 10 of "A Lesson for this Sunday", yellow wings represent the yellow butterflies
Let's wrap up what we have just covered.
Metaphor: compares two things by saying one thing is another
Simile: compares two usually unrelated things using “as” or “like”
Symbolism: uses a present thing, person, or action to represent a deeper meaning
Synechdoce: compares a part to the whole, or the whole to a part
Watch the video below to learn more about the poetic devices that you can find in the English B poems👇.
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