Repetition:

Repetition is a literary device where a certain word or phrase is repeated multiple times to emphasise the word or to create a rhythm.

The poet has used this device by repeating the words “more than” and “butter” throughout this poem to emphasise the word.

Metaphor:

Metaphor is a literary device where two unrelated objects are compared to each other.

The poet has used this device in the following lines.

butter melting in small pools in the hearts

of Yorkshire puddings,

The hollows of Yorkshire pudding are compared to small pools, whereas the overall pudding is compared to the human heart.

butter the lava in white volcanoes

of hominy grits

The hominy grits are compared to white volcanoes whereas the butter melted is metaphorically compared to lava on the top.

When I picture

the good old days I am grinning greasy

Here, the speaker’s smile is compared to greasy butter, as she has taken butter in almost every food she eats.

our parent’s efforts, glowing from the inside

out, one hundred megawatts of butter

In the last line of the poem, she compares her glowing with a hundred megawatts bulb.

Anaphora:

Anaphora is a literary device that uses the repetition of short phrases or single words at the beginning of clauses or sentences to enhance rhythm.

The poet has used this device in the following lines.

butter glazing corn in slipping squares,

butter the lava in white volcanoes

Both these lines begin with the same word “butter” which is an example of anaphora.

Allusion:

Allusion is an indirect reference to a person, event or thing or to a part of another text.

The poet has used this device in the following line.

Mumbo and Jumbo’s children despite

historical revision, despite

Here the poet uses the term “Mumbo Jumbo” to allude to her African descent

Butter Summary