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  1. Alliteration- Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely positioned words. It can be seen in phrases like, “I thought the earth”, “took me back so tenderly”, etc.  Personification-Personification is a literary device in which non-human objects,Read more

    • Alliteration- Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely positioned words. It can be seen in phrases like, “I thought the earth”, “took me back so tenderly”, etc. 
    • Personification-Personification is a literary device in which non-human objects, animals, or abstract concepts are given human-like qualities, characteristics, or attributes. The Earth is personified in the lines, “she/ took me back so tenderly, arranging/ her dark skirts, her pockets/ full of lichens and seeds.”
    • Imagery- Imagery involves the use of vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating a mental picture for the reader. One instance of this is, “All night. I rose and fell, as if in water, grappling/ with a luminous doom.”
    • Simile- A simile is a figure of speech that involves comparing two unlike things using the words “like” or “as” to highlight a shared quality or similarity. It can be seen in the line, “but my thoughts, and they floated/ light as moths among the branches/ of the perfect trees.”
    • Paradox- A paradox is a statement or situation that seems contradictory or self-defeating but may reveal a hidden truth. It involves the use of conflicting ideas or concepts to create a thought-provoking or paradoxical effect. It is seen in the phrase “luminous doom”.

    Sleeping in the Forest Summary

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  1. The poem follows the rhyme scheme of ABCB in each quatrain. The poem is written in Iambic Trimeter and Iambic Tetrameter. A Bird, came down the Walk Summary

    The poem follows the rhyme scheme of ABCB in each quatrain. The poem is written in Iambic Trimeter and Iambic Tetrameter.

    A Bird, came down the Walk Summary

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  1. The poem intends to show the duality and complexity of nature by means of vividly describing the mannerisms of a bird that consumes an angelworm and then goes on to fly away swiftly as it senses the speaker’s presence. On one side, the raw and instinctive aspects of a bird’s behaviour are depicted aRead more

    The poem intends to show the duality and complexity of nature by means of vividly describing the mannerisms of a bird that consumes an angelworm and then goes on to fly away swiftly as it senses the speaker’s presence. On one side, the raw and instinctive aspects of a bird’s behaviour are depicted as it takes on the role of a predator. However, the bird transforms into prey as it senses the speaker’s presence. As it flies away to escape the speaker’s gaze, its flight is gentle and smooth, which goes on to portray a tender side to nature. Overall, Dickinson’s poem explores the intricate balance between the brutal and caring aspects of nature, using the bird as a symbol to showcase the multifaceted essence of the natural world.

    A Bird, came down the Walk Summary

     

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  1. Imagery- Imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating a vivid mental picture for the reader. It can be seen in the lines, “And then, he drank a Dew/ From a convenient Grass -/ And then hopped sidewise to the Wall/ To let a Beetle pass -” Simile- A simile is a figurRead more

    • Imagery- Imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating a vivid mental picture for the reader. It can be seen in the lines, “And then, he drank a Dew/ From a convenient Grass -/ And then hopped sidewise to the Wall/ To let a Beetle pass -”
    • Simile- A simile is a figure of speech that involves the comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as” to highlight a shared similarity between them. The comparison of the bird’s eyes to “frightened Beads” is a metaphor, suggesting the intensity and alertness of the bird’s gaze.
    • Symbolism- Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, often adding deeper layers of meaning to the text. The bird serves as a symbol in the poem, representing nature in its raw, predatory state, as well as its capacity for gentleness and domesticity.
    • Alliteration- The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words, creating a rhythmic effect.  It can be seen in phrases like, “…Oars divide the Ocean”, “too silver for a seam”, …Cautious,/ I offered him a Crumb” etc.
    • Enjambment- Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, stanza, or verse, creating a flowing and continuous rhythm.
    • Personification- Personification is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities or objects, giving them human-like qualities. It can be seen in the line, “A Bird, came down the Walk – / He did not know I saw -/ He bit an Angle Worm in halves/ And ate the fellow, raw, “ where both the bird and the worm are personified.

    A Bird, came down the Walk Summary

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  1. The poem is essentially a satirical commentary on the idea of converting one's caste through a systematic process of inter-caste marriage and reproduction of a mixed-caste progeny. Shudras, the marginalized community of the Indian landscape are historically known to be oppressed by the upper caste cRead more

    The poem is essentially a satirical commentary on the idea of converting one’s caste through a systematic process of inter-caste marriage and reproduction of a mixed-caste progeny. Shudras, the marginalized community of the Indian landscape are historically known to be oppressed by the upper caste communities just because of their caste hierarchy. Thus, the “algorithm” that the poem conveys does not aim to uplift the Shudra identity amongst other castes but rather aims to erase their presence altogether and convert them into Brahmins.  Also, the use of an algorithm, typically associated with logical and systematic processes, to describe something as inherently arbitrary as caste conversion serves as a form of irony and mockery. It challenges the legitimacy and rationality of such discriminatory practices.

    Becoming a Brahmin Summary

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  1. "Becoming a Brahmin" by Meena Kandasamy satirically deconstructs the deeply entrenched caste system in India through a facetious algorithm. The poem outlines a process, resembling an algorithm, to convert a Shudra into a Brahmin, emphasizing the absurdity of attempting such a transformation. The steRead more

    “Becoming a Brahmin” by Meena Kandasamy satirically deconstructs the deeply entrenched caste system in India through a facetious algorithm. The poem outlines a process, resembling an algorithm, to convert a Shudra into a Brahmin, emphasizing the absurdity of attempting such a transformation. The steps involve marrying a Shudra girl to a Brahmin, repeated across generations, culminating in the display of the “end product”—a Brahmin. This algorithm, attributed to the “Father of the Nation” at Tirupur and documented by Periyar in 1947, underscores the historical struggle against caste-based discrimination. The introduction of the second algorithm highlights the persistence of discriminatory practices done against marginalised communities. Thus, through satire, irony, and historical references, Kandasamy critiques the arbitrariness and injustice embedded in the caste system, challenging societal norms and advocating for a more equitable and inclusive society.

    Becoming a Brahmin Summary

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  1. This answer was edited.

    Alliteration- The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words, creating a rhythmic effect.  It can be seen in phrases like, “Algorithm advocated…”, “awaiting another”, “Make her marry”, etc. Anaphora- Anaphora is a rhetorical device in which a wordRead more

    • Alliteration- The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words, creating a rhythmic effect.  It can be seen in phrases like, “Algorithm advocated…”, “awaiting another”, “Make her marry”, etc.
    • Anaphora- Anaphora is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases, or sentences. The word “step” is repeated several times in order to mirror an actual computer algorithm.
    • Symbolism- Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, often adding deeper layers of meaning to the text. The algorithm is a symbol of a political act of erasure done to the Shudra community and to convert their identities altogether.

    Becoming a Brahmin Summary

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  1. The poem provides a nuanced commentary on the racial violence and oppression faced by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. The poem vividly depicts the aftermath of a lynching, through the use of graphic imagery to show the brutality faced by the African Americans in the southern UnitRead more

    The poem provides a nuanced commentary on the racial violence and oppression faced by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. The poem vividly depicts the aftermath of a lynching, through the use of graphic imagery to show the brutality faced by the African Americans in the southern United States, particularly in Georgia. The poem also greatly dehumanises the victim through the meticulous description of her body. Each line details a physical aspect, emphasizing the degradation and objectification that accompanies racial violence. Additionally, the use of symbolic elements such as the lyncher’s rope, fagots, scars, and the scent of cane contributes to the exploration of themes. These symbols represent different facets of racial violence and serve to deepen the metaphorical layers of the poem.

    Portrait  in Georgia Summary

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  1. "Portrait in Georgia" by Jean Toomer does not adhere to a traditional rhyming scheme, as it is written in free verse. Portrait in Georgia Summary

    “Portrait in Georgia” by Jean Toomer does not adhere to a traditional rhyming scheme, as it is written in free verse.

    Portrait in Georgia Summary

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