English Notes Latest Questions

What are the poetic devices used in the poem Mirror?

What are the poetic devices used in the poem Mirror?

1 Answer

    1. Metaphor: The comparison of one thing to another to highlight similarities and differences. For example, the mirror is metaphorically described as a “lake” and a “swallowing” entity that “meditates” and “gives back” whatever it sees.
    2. Personification: The attribution of human qualities to non-human things. For example, the mirror is personified as having a “heart,” an “eye,” and a “face.”
    3. Imagery: The use of vivid and descriptive language to create mental pictures and sensory impressions. For example, the lines “The eye of a little god, four-cornered” create a vivid image of the mirror.
    4. Allusion: The reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work. For example, the line “I am not cruel, only truthful” alludes to the character of Tiresias in Greek mythology, who was known for his clairvoyant and truthful nature.
    5. Repetition: The repetition of words, phrases, or sounds for emphasis and to create a sense of rhythm. For example, the repetition of the word “silver” throughout the poem emphasizes the reflective nature of the mirror.
    6. Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase over a line break, without a pause. For example, “Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me, / Searching my reaches for what she really is” uses enjambment to create a sense of flow and continuity between lines.
    7. Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. For example, the mirror is a symbol of truth, reflection, and self-awareness.

    Mirror Summary

You must login to add an answer.