Following poetic devices/figures of speech have been used in the poem Vocation:

1. Simile: It is a poetic device involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind. e.g. “the streetlamp stands like a giant with one red eye in its head.” In this line, the streetlamp is compared with giant using like.
2. Repetition: It is the repetition of certain words and phrases for poetic effect. In the poem, many words and phrases have been repeated. e.g. “when”, “I wish I were a” etc.
3. Alliteration: It is the occurrence of the same sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. e.g. “the gate the gardener digging the ground.”, “He does what he likes with his spade, he soils his clothes”, “nobody takes him to task”.
4. Onomatopoeia: It is the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. e.g. “‘the gong sounds ten”. The word “gong” is formed by the sound associated with it.

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The theme of the poem Vocation is child’s desire for freedom. He has to follow strict rules at home as well as in the school. He is also subjected to punishment by his parents when he makes a mistake.

Thus, when he sees the hawker roaming in the streets freely, gardener doing work with his spade freely and watchman walking in the night freely, he desires to be like them as he does not know their harsh reality.

But the poem also throws light on how young children are treated at homes and schools. The poet explains how a child is psychologically affected by harsh treatment. So, the poem is a lesson for parents and teachers who remain strict towards the children.

1. Read summary of Vocation
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