• Irony- A figure of speech known as irony entails a contradiction in the words and expressions used. Since the poem discloses that the man never expected much and the reader discovers the unfulfilled features of his existence, the title itself alludes to irony.
• Metaphor- A metaphor is a figure of speech in which two opposite objects are nonliterally compared. To depict the man’s life and goals, Hardy uses analogies. For instance, the third stanza’s image of the “small wheels” represents the man’s life as being ordinary and normal.
• Enjambment- Enjambment is used in poetry to create a continuous and fluid rhythm by having lines flow into one another without a break. This enhances the poem’s overall flow and can represent the man’s boring life, which remains unbroken.
• Alliteration- The term “alliteration” refers to the practice of starting words in a phrase with the same letter or sound. The poem gains a melodic quality from the repeated sounds at the beginning of words (e.g., “Well, World,” “with…with”), which also discreetly highlight specific concepts.
• Apostrophe- An apostrophe is a figure of speech used when a speaker addresses an object or person who is not there or is unable to reply. The speaker addresses the “World” directly in the poem’s opening lines, even though it is unable to reply. This fosters a feeling of closeness and reflective introspection as the speaker muses over their experiences.

He Never Expected Much Summary

• Anaphora- Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines.  It can be seen in the lines, “Think not thou canst sigh a sigh,/ And thy Maker is not by:/ Think not thou canst weep a tear,/ And thy Maker is not near.” where “Think not” is repeated.
• Rhetorical Questions- Rhetorical Questions are questions posed not to elicit answers but to make a point or to emphasize a particular idea. In this poem, rhetorical questions engage the reader in reflecting on the themes of empathy and compassion. This can be seen in the line, “Can I see another’s woe,/ And not be in sorrow too?”
• Symbolism- Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities beyond their literal meaning. In the poem, the wren, small bird, and infant symbolize the universal nature of suffering.
• Alliteration- Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.  It can be found in several instances like- “sorrow’s share”, “No, no! never”, “sorrows small”, and “Pouring pity”.
• Personification- personification is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities. In the lines, “And not sit beside the nest, Pouring pity in their breast,” personification is used to describe God as if He were a compassionate human figure.
• Repetition- Repetition is the recurrence of words or phrases for emphasis. In the poem, the repetition of “Never, never can it be!” strengthens the poet’s assertions about the impossibility of certain scenarios.

On Another’s Sorrow Summary

• Alliteration– Alliteration involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighbouring or closely positioned words. It can be seen in phrases such as “Faithful friends from flattering foe.”, “help thee in thy”, “he be bent”, etc.
• Simile- A simile is a figure of speech that involves comparing two different things using the words “like” or “as” to highlight a shared quality or characteristic between them.  It can be seen in the line, “Words are easy, like the wind;” where the speaker tells how words are flattery and are spoken with ease by a fake friend.
• Metaphor- A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. It can be seen in the line, “But if store of crowns be scant” which is a metaphor for misfortune.
• Personification- Personification is a literary device in which human qualities are attributed to non-human entities or objects. It can be seen in the line, “But if Fortune once do frown,” where fortune is personified as someone who can frown.
• Parallelism- Parallelism is the use of similar grammatical structures, phrases, or patterns in a series of words or ideas. It adds balance and rhythm to the writing. It can be seen in the lines, “If thou sorrow, he will weep; / If thou wake, he cannot sleep;”.
• Allusion- An allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. The poem alludes to the biblical story of The Prodigal Son.
• Inversion- Inversion is a poetic and rhetorical technique in which the normal order of words is reversed for emphasis or stylistic purposes. It can be seen in the line, “Bountiful they will him call,”.
• Anaphora- Anaphora is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences, or lines. It can be seen in the lines, “He that is thy friend indeed,/ He will help thee in thy need:”
• Hyperbole- Hyperbole is a figure of speech characterized by exaggeration or overstatement to emphasize a point. It can be seen in the line, “Pity but he were a king” which is an exaggerated remark by a flatterer.
  

Friends and Flatterers Summary