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What are the poetic devices used in the poem The Telephone Call?

What are the poetic devices used in the poem The Telephone Call?

1 Answer

    • Hyperbole- Hyperbole is a rhetorical device that elicits strong feelings by making an excessive or exaggerated claim. The prize’s inflated descriptions—”Ultra-super Global Special,” “more than a million”—highlight the protagonist’s first exhilaration as well as the attraction of her sudden wealth.
    • Enjambment- The frequent use of enjambment—the technique of running sentences over without punctuation—creates a sense of urgency and excitement throughout the call and then reflects the disarray and uneasiness that follow the call’s disconnect.
    • Juxtaposition- Placing two ideas or items next to or close to one another highlights their inherent differences and similarities. This technique is known as juxtaposition. The poem frequently contrasts the banal aspects of everyday existence with the extravagant and luxurious future that is envisioned. This juxtaposition does a good job of highlighting the promised fortune’s transformational power—and consequent emptiness.
    • Irony- Irony is a rhetorical device that refers to the difference between expectations and reality. There are many ironic points in the poem. A nameless entity calls, offering unfathomable wealth; the joy quickly gives way to uneasiness; and, unfortunately, the winning numbers are missing. These ironies draw attention to the gap that exists between truth and illusion as well as the possible risks associated with blind desire.
    • Ellipsis- An ellipsis is a figure of speech in which words that are comprehensible from the context of grammar are omitted. Throughout the poem, ellipses (…) are used to generate tension and pauses, reflecting the speaker’s inner doubt and providing room for the reader’s interpretation.

    The Telephone Call Summary

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