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  1. Alliteration: Alliteration, ie, repetition of consonant sounds in succession. In this poem, /wh/ sound is repeated in the last line of the second stanza. Assonance: Assonance is repeated vowel sounds, in this poem, /i/in line 3 of first stanza and /ou/ sound in line 6 of the same stanza. Consonance:Read more

    1. Alliteration: Alliteration, ie, repetition of consonant sounds in succession. In this poem, /wh/ sound is repeated in the last line of the second stanza.
    2. Assonance: Assonance is repeated vowel sounds, in this poem, /i/in line 3 of first stanza and /ou/ sound in line 6 of the same stanza.
    3. Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds in the same verse, in line 1 of stanza two, /d/ sound is repeated.
    4. Simile: Comparison between an object and a person, in this poem, line 5 and 6 uses simile.
    5. Anaphora: Emphasis on a certain expression through repetition, in this poem, line 7 and 8 of first stanza repeat “sing a song” to provide a greater impact.
    6. Enjambment: Unusual line breaks that do not convey a meaning till the next verse is read. In this poem, lines 4 and 5 of the last stanza show Enjambment.

    Lift Every Voice and Sing Summary

     

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  1. The poem's central idea is acceptance of self. Although society today is more open-minded and accepting, in Hughes era, black people were looked down upon, shamed, ridiculed and discriminated against by the whites mostly due their darker skin completions. African American people therefore felt alienRead more

    The poem’s central idea is acceptance of self. Although society today is more open-minded and accepting, in Hughes era, black people were looked down upon, shamed, ridiculed and discriminated against by the whites mostly due their darker skin completions. African American people therefore felt alienated and indifferent from the rest of the world. It was also greatly emphasised due to migration into the native land of America. The poem revolves around a dream shared by this community of being free and independent. Towards the end of the poem, the poet appears to have accepted this concern and hopes for a better future.

    Dream Variations Summary

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  1. The poem consists of two stanzas with almost similar rhyme schemes. The poem’s rhyme scheme is abcb defeg. Hughes uses some similar words to rhyme. Although both the stanzas are identical in structure, the meaning is diverse. Dream Variations Summary

    The poem consists of two stanzas with almost similar rhyme schemes. The poem’s rhyme scheme is abcb defeg. Hughes uses some similar words to rhyme. Although both the stanzas are identical in structure, the meaning is diverse.

    Dream Variations Summary

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  1. One of the major themes of this poem is Racism. Hughes describes his longing for an oppressed world where he can live freely. The dream of Hughes in this poem is a common dream of most of the people in the African American community. Dream is another theme of this poem. In this dream, he separates hRead more

    One of the major themes of this poem is Racism. Hughes describes his longing for an oppressed world where he can live freely. The dream of Hughes in this poem is a common dream of most of the people in the African American community. Dream is another theme of this poem. In this dream, he separates himself apart from the world he currently lives in, for peace and comfort, dreaming of a place free from oppression. He emphasises his comfort brought by the night, which also implies the sympathy brought by the black community.

    Dream Variations Summary

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  1. Anaphora: Anaphora is repetition of a word or phrase, in this poem, the phrase “to fling my arms wide” is repeated in both the stanzas. Some words and other phrases are also repeated. Repetition: Words like “dance” and “whirl” are repeated along with some phrases in both the stanzas. Caesura: CaesurRead more

    • Anaphora: Anaphora is repetition of a word or phrase, in this poem, the phrase “to fling my arms wide” is repeated in both the stanzas. Some words and other phrases are also repeated.
    • Repetition: Words like “dance” and “whirl” are repeated along with some phrases in both the stanzas.
    • Caesura: Caesura is the use of punctuation for a natural pause in a verse. In this poem, “Dance! Whirl! Whirl!” is an example of the use of Caesura in poetry.
    • Metaphor: Metaphor is an implication used to portray meaning through a word that is unrelated to the cause. For example, in this poem, “dream” is a metaphor for Black community’s happiness and equality.

    Dream Variation Summary

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  1. For the Union Dead consists of themes of Slavery, Sacrifice, Perseverance, Idealism, and Transformation. For the Union Dead Summary

    For the Union Dead consists of themes of Slavery, Sacrifice, Perseverance, Idealism, and Transformation.

    For the Union Dead Summary

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  1. The poem’s central idea is to reinvoke the memories of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country which is, according to Lowell, taken for granted by the city people. Lowell uses intense imagery in this poem and leaps back and forth in time to make the poem more impactful. For the UniRead more

    The poem’s central idea is to reinvoke the memories of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country which is, according to Lowell, taken for granted by the city people. Lowell uses intense imagery in this poem and leaps back and forth in time to make the poem more impactful.

    For the Union Dead Summary

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  1. Simile: Simile is when two unrelated things are compared with each other. For example, in this poem, line 5, 29-30, and 31-32 show the use of Simile. Alliteration: Alliteration is when the same sound is repeated consequently in the poem. Line 7 and 8 show Alliteration as they repeat “b” and “c” sounRead more

    • Simile: Simile is when two unrelated things are compared with each other. For example, in this poem, line 5, 29-30, and 31-32 show the use of Simile.
    • Alliteration: Alliteration is when the same sound is repeated consequently in the poem. Line 7 and 8 show Alliteration as they repeat “b” and “c” sounds respectively.
    • Enjambment: Line 12 is an example of Enjambment in the poem.
    • Personification: Personification is used in line 14 in this poem.

    For The Union Dead Summary

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  1. “Dream Song 14: Life, friends, is boring” involves themes of Dissatisfaction, Nature, and Reality of Life. The poet is bored by all the things around him throughout the poem and often brings nature into his observation. Towards the end of the poem, he reveals the reality of his situation. Dream SongRead more

    “Dream Song 14: Life, friends, is boring” involves themes of Dissatisfaction, Nature, and Reality of Life. The poet is bored by all the things around him throughout the poem and often brings nature into his observation. Towards the end of the poem, he reveals the reality of his situation.

    Dream Song 14: Life, friends, is boring Summary

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