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  1. The poem essentially portrays the speaker’s first encounter with a certain kind of bliss, which is symbolised as the paradise of Eden. Because of the novelty of this experience, the speaker asks Eden to approach them slowly and gently, since they are unused to it. There is a secondary layer to the pRead more

    The poem essentially portrays the speaker’s first encounter with a certain kind of bliss, which is symbolised as the paradise of Eden. Because of the novelty of this experience, the speaker asks Eden to approach them slowly and gently, since they are unused to it. There is a secondary layer to the poem as it explores sexual awakening and intimacy. Eden then transforms into a form of sexual or romantic pleasure, which the speaker is not used to. Thus, the lines depict the speaker’s hesitation, anticipation and eventual entrance into a new romantic and intimate relationship.

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  1. There is no specific rhyme scheme used in the poem however the second and fourth line rhyme. The poem is written in free verse. Come Slowly Summary

    There is no specific rhyme scheme used in the poem however the second and fourth line rhyme. The poem is written in free verse.

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  1. On the primary layer, the poem explores the newness of an experience that the speaker is encountering. The speaker does not wish to feel overwhelmed, due to which they urge Eden, or that experience, to approach her gradually and slowly. On the secondary layer, the poem symbolises the speaker’s firstRead more

    On the primary layer, the poem explores the newness of an experience that the speaker is encountering. The speaker does not wish to feel overwhelmed, due to which they urge Eden, or that experience, to approach her gradually and slowly. On the secondary layer, the poem symbolises the speaker’s first experience of a romantic, and sexually intimate relationship. The poem uses empathetic commands, vivid imagery, and symbols such as Eden and Jessamines to convey the delicate and transformative nature of the experience. Ultimately, the poem captures a moment of spiritual and sensual bliss that is going to be experienced by the speaker.

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  1. Sibilance- Sibilance is a literary device characterized by the repetition of sibilant (hissing) sounds, usually involving the letters "s," "sh," or "z."In the first stanza, sibilance is present in the line "Lips unused to Thee," where the repeated "s" sound creates a soft, hissing effect PersonificaRead more

    • Sibilance- Sibilance is a literary device characterized by the repetition of sibilant (hissing) sounds, usually involving the letters “s,” “sh,” or “z.”In the first stanza, sibilance is present in the line “Lips unused to Thee,” where the repeated “s” sound creates a soft, hissing effect

    • Personification-Personification is a figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed to non-human entities or abstract concepts. The second stanza personifies the bee, describing it as reaching its flower, circling the chamber, counting nectars, and being “lost in Balms.”

    • Allusion- Allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. The mention of “Eden” can be seen as an indirect allusion to the biblical concept of the Garden of Eden, a symbol of paradise or an idyllic state.

    • Symbolism- Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities beyond their literal meaning. The entire poem is rich in symbolism. “Eden” symbolizes a paradisiacal state or an intimate realm, while “Jessamines” symbolizes both romance, sensuality, and purity. The bee and its interaction with the flower symbolize the delicacy and intimacy of the speaker’s experience, and the act of entering Eden represents a transformative journey.

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