What are the poetic devices used in the poem On Another's Sorrow?

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   Radhika

   2024-02-15T15:24:51+05:30Added an answer on February 15, 2024 at 3:24 pm

   • Anaphora- Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines.  It can be seen in the lines, “Think not thou canst sigh a sigh,/ And thy Maker is not by:/ Think not thou canst weep a tear,/ And thy Maker is not near.” where “Think not” is repeated.
   • Rhetorical Questions- Rhetorical Questions are questions posed not to elicit answers but to make a point or to emphasize a particular idea. In this poem, rhetorical questions engage the reader in reflecting on the themes of empathy and compassion. This can be seen in the line, “Can I see another’s woe,/ And not be in sorrow too?”
   • Symbolism- Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities beyond their literal meaning. In the poem, the wren, small bird, and infant symbolize the universal nature of suffering.
   • Alliteration- Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.  It can be found in several instances like- “sorrow’s share”, “No, no! never”, “sorrows small”, and “Pouring pity”.
   • Personification- personification is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities. In the lines, “And not sit beside the nest, Pouring pity in their breast,” personification is used to describe God as if He were a compassionate human figure.
   • Repetition- Repetition is the recurrence of words or phrases for emphasis. In the poem, the repetition of “Never, never can it be!” strengthens the poet’s assertions about the impossibility of certain scenarios.

   On Another’s Sorrow Summary

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