Class 12 English all poems poetic devices .pdf

class 12th English all poems poetic devices

1. 1.Name of Figure of Speech: Personification
Exact Line: A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,
Reason: The roadside stand is given human-like qualities, as it is described as
“pleading pathetically.” This personification emphasizes the desperation and
helplessness of the stand, and by extension, the people it represents.
Exact Line: The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,
Reason: The “polished traffic” is personified as having “a mind ahead,”
suggesting its purposeful, indifferent movement, ignoring the roadside stand.
Exact Line: “Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene,”
Reason: In this line, “beauty rest” can be interpreted as personification,
where the abstract concept of beauty is given the human characteristic of
resting. This personification suggests that beauty itself finds peace or
rejuvenation within the natural landscape of a mountain scene, implying a
harmonious and tranquil relationship between beauty and nature. This use of
personification highlights the restorative power of natural beauty.
Exact Line: The hurt to the scenery wouldn’t be my complaint
Reason: The “hurt to the scenery” personifies the natural landscape,
suggesting it can feel pain, highlighting the impact of urbanization and
commercialization on nature.
Exact Line: While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,
Reason: This personifies entities who pretend to do good but are actually
exploiting the rural people.
Exact Line: The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
Reason: Sadness is personified as something that can lurk, giving it a tangible,
almost human presence that emphasizes the depth of despair felt by the
speaker.
Exact Line: Or so the voice of the country seems to complain,
Reason: The “voice of the country” is personified, suggesting the country
itself can express a complaint, emphasizing the collective rural struggle.
2.Name of Figure of Speech: Assonance
Exact Line: But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
Reason: The repetition of the vowel sound ‘o’ in this line creates a harmonious
sound, adding a lyrical quality to the poem and emphasizing the concept of
monetary flow.
Exact Line: The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.
Reason: The ‘i’ sound in “sinking” and “withering” creates assonance, which
emphasizes the decline and fragility of the cities.
Exact Line: And give us the life of the moving-pictures’ promise
Reason: The repetition of the ‘i’ sound in this line creates a sense of longing and
yearning, enhancing the emotional impact of the rural people’s desire for a better
life.
Roadside stand

2. Figure of Speech: Alliteration
Exact Line: The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,
Reason: The repetition of the ‘s’ sound adds a soft, sibilant quality to the line,
enhancing its lyrical nature.
Exact Line: could they sell it a gallon of gas
Reason: The repetition of the ‘g’ sound in “gallon of gas” creates a rhythmic effect,
drawing attention to the specific request made by the passerby.
Exact Line: For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,
Reason: The repetition of the ‘s’ sound creates a sibilant effect, enhancing the
auditory imagery.
Exact Lines:
Greedy good-doers
Beneficent beasts
Be bought
Reason: The repetition of the ‘g’, ‘b’, and another ‘b’ sounds create a rhythmic and
harsh tone, emphasizing the predatory nature of the so-called benefactors and the
forceful nature of the relocation.
Exact Line: So much as the trusting sorrow of what is unsaid:
Reason: The repetition of the ‘s’ sound creates a soft, sibilant sound that enhances
the melancholic tone.
Exact Line: The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,
Reason: The repetition of the ‘p’ sound in “polished” and “passed” creates a
rhythmic quality, emphasizing the continuous flow of the traffic.
Exact Line: pathetically pled
Reason: The repetition of the ‘p’ sound in “pathetically pled” draws attention to the
emotional state of the roadside stand, emphasizing its desperate plea.
Name of Figure of Speech: Juxtaposition
Exact Line: The little old house was out with a little new shed
Reason: Here, Frost juxtaposes the ‘little old house’ and ‘little new shed.’ This
contrast highlights the passage of time and change, suggesting a theme of progress
or transformation
Exact Lines:
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store,
Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore,
Reason: This juxtaposes the idea of living near modern conveniences with the loss
of autonomy.
Exact Line: And then next day as I come back into the sane,
Reason: Juxtaposes harsh reality with fleeting moments of respite or clarity.

3. Figure of Speech: Hyperbole
Exact Line: I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
Reason: This exaggeration emphasizes the intense desire for a resolution to the
suffering.
Exact Line: Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,
Reason: This exaggeration emphasizes the sheer number of cars that pass without
stopping, highlighting their indifference.
Exact Line: That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
Reason: This exaggeration suggests that the so-called benefits are overwhelming
and disorienting.
Figure of Speech: Transferred Epithet
Exact Line: The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,
Reason: The adjective “polished” is a transferred epithet, as it is used to describe
the traffic but actually refers to the rich city dwellers. It implies their sophistication
and indifference to the rural roadside stand.
Exact Line: Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,
Reason: “Selfish cars” is a transferred epithet where the selfishness attributed to
the cars actually reflects the attitudes of the city-dwellers driving them,
emphasizing their indifference to the roadside stand.
Figure of Speech: Metaphor
Exact Line: The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,
Reason: “Lift of spirit” metaphorically refers to hope or improvement, suggesting its
elusiveness for the people in the country.
Exact Line: That waits all day in almost open prayer
Reason: Comparing the wait to “open prayer” suggests a deep longing and hope for
something, reflecting the stand’s desperate hope for customers.
Exact Line: Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
Reason: This metaphorically describes the overwhelming and intrusive way the rural
people are being treated.
Exact Line: And give us the life of the moving-pictures’ promise
Reason: This is a metaphor for the idealized, glamorous life portrayed in movies,
contrasting with the reality of those running the roadside stand.
.Name of Figure of Speech: Imagery
Exact Line: In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,
Reason: This line creates a vivid image of the roadside location of the stand, with the
movement and speed of the traffic passing by, evoking a sense of rush and
indifference.

4. Exact Line: At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Reason: This line creates a vivid image of the natural landscape being disrupted by
crude, colorful signs, contrasting nature with man-made elements.
Exact Line: For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,
Reason: This line creates vivid auditory imagery, making the reader almost hear the
sounds of a car stopping.
Figure of Speech: Irony
Exact Lines:
-To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.
-And offer to put me gently out of my pain.
Reason: The desire for a quick, merciful release from pain is ironic, reflecting the
depth of suffering and longing for an end to it.
Exact Line: They couldn’t (this crossly); they had none, didn’t it see?
Reason: There is irony in the expectation of the passerby that the roadside stand
would sell gas, contrasted with the reality that they don’t have any. This reflects the
ignorance or misunderstanding of the stand’s purpose by those passing by.
Exact Lines:
And one did stop, but only to plow up grass
In using the yard to back and turn around;
Reason: The irony lies in a car stopping not to help or buy but to use the yard for its
own purpose.
Exact Line: Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
Reason: The use of “mercifully” is ironic, as it suggests kindness in an action that is
actually forced and possibly unwanted.
Exact Line: That the party in power is said to be keeping from us.
Reason: There is irony in the expectation that the political party in power would
improve their lives, juxtaposed with the reality that their promises are unfulfilled.
Exact Line: Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong
Reason: The irony lies in the depiction of signs with letters turned wrong, subtly
criticizing the ignorance or carelessness of the sign-makers, contrasting with the
polished traffic.
Figure of Speech: Anaphora
Exact Lines:
– Or crook-necked golden squash with silver warts,
– Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene,
Reason: The repetition of “Or” at the beginning of these lines is an example of
anaphora. This emphasizes the variety of items for sale and the roadside stand’s
attempts to attract attention.

5. Figure of Speech: Repetition
Exact Line: Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong
Reason: The word “wrong” is repeated to emphasize the flawed and imperfect
nature of the signs, highlighting the rustic and unpolished character of the roadside
stand.
Exact Line: And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day, Destroy their
sleeping at night the ancient way.
Reason: The repetition of “sleep” emphasizes the loss of traditional ways of life and
the forced imposition of new lifestyles that disrupt natural patterns.
.Figure of Speech: Synecdoche
Exact Line: And ask for some city money to feel in hand
Reason: “City money” represents the wealth and prosperity associated with urban
areas, emphasizing the economic divide.
Exact Words: “country” and “pain”
Reason: The repetition of “country” emphasizes the rural setting and contrasts with
urban life, while “pain” highlights ongoing suffering and desire for relief.
Figure of Speech: Parenthesis
Exact Line: They couldn’t (this crossly);
Reason: The use of parentheses around “this crossly” indicates an aside or an
under-the-breath comment, conveying the irritation or bitterness of the speaker.
Figure of Speech: Oxymoron
Exact Line: childish longing in vain,
Reason: Combining “childish” (associated with innocence and hope) with “in vain”
(suggesting futility) reflects the naive yet futile hope of the stand owner.
Exact Line: greedy good-doers
Reason: This phrase combines contradictory terms: “greedy” and “good-doers,”
highlighting the duplicitous nature of those who pretend to help while pursuing
their own interests.
.Figure of Speech: Apostrophe
Exact Line: You have the money, but if you want to be mean,
Reason: The speaker directly addresses an absent or imaginary entity, engaging in a
one-sided conversation.

6. . Figure of Speech: Metaphor
Exact Line: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”
Reason: This line directly compares a thing of beauty to a perpetual joy,
exemplifying a metaphor.
Exact Line: “wreathing a flowery band to bind us to the earth“
Reason: This metaphorically represents the beautiful aspects of life that bind
humans to the earth and life itself.
Exact Line: “sprouting a shady boon For simple sheep”
Reason: ‘Shady boon’ metaphorically describes the shade as a beneficial gift.
Exact Line: “An endless fountain of immortal drink”
Reason: The poet compares elements of nature to an immortal drink,
emphasizing the rejuvenating and perpetual nature of beauty.
Thing of beauty
Exact Line: “a bower quiet for us”
Reason: The ‘bower’ is used symbolically to represent a place of peace and
tranquility, indicating the mental and emotional refuge provided by beauty.
Figure of Speech: Enjambment
Exact Line: (Throughout the stanza)
Reason: The continuation of sentences beyond the end of a line, without a pause, is
used throughout this stanza, creating a flow and connection between the lines.
Exact Lines: Throughout the stanza.
Reason: The continuation of sentences without a pause beyond the end of a line,
creating a seamless flow
Exact Lines: Throughout the stanza.
Reason: The continuation of lines without pause, creating a fluid narrative flow.
Exact Lines: Throughout the stanza.
Reason: The continuation of sentences without a pause beyond the end of a line,
adding to the fluidity of the poem’s narrative.
Figure of Speech: Symbolism
Exact Lines: “the grandeur of the dooms / We have imagined for the mighty dead”
Reason: The reference to the “mighty dead” symbolizes the idea of legacy and
remembrance, suggesting that beauty lies in the stories and memories of great
individuals.
Exact Line: “a bower quiet for us”
Reason: The ‘bower’ is used symbolically to represent a place of peace and
tranquility, indicating the mental and emotional refuge provided by beauty.

7. Figure of Speech: Hyperbole
Exact Line: “Its loveliness increases“
Reason: Hyperbole involves exaggeration to emphasize a point. Here, the
exaggeration is in the phrase “increases,” suggesting that the beauty or loveliness is
growing to an extraordinary, perhaps boundless, degree. This emphasizes the
transcendent and ever-enhancing nature of the subject’s beauty.
Exact Line: “An endless fountain of immortal drink”
Reason: This is an exaggeration used to emphasize the infinite and extraordinary
nature of beauty.
Figure of Speech: Assonance
Exact Line: “Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.“
Reason: Assonance is demonstrated through the repetition of vowel sounds in close
proximity. Here, the long “e” sound in “sweet” and “dreams,” and the short “e” sound
in “health” and “breathing,” create a harmonious rhythm. This use of assonance adds
to the melodic and soothing quality of the line, enhancing the imagery of tranquility
and contentment.
Figure of Speech: Litotes
Exact Line: “it will never Pass into nothingness”
Reason: Litotes is a figure of speech that employs understatement by using double
negatives. In this line, the double negatives ‘never’ and ‘nothingness’ are used to
subtly emphasize the enduring and immortal nature of beauty. This understatement
effectively highlights the concept that beauty is eternal, without directly stating it.

10. Figure of Speech: Imagery
Exact Line: “Bright topaz denizens of a world of green”
Reason: This line creates a vivid visual image in the reader’s mind, portraying the
tigers as radiant and lively, embodying energy and vibrance.
Exact Line: “fingers fluttering through her wool”
Reason: This line creates a vivid sensory image of delicate, precise movements
involved in needlework. The use of “fluttering” evokes a visual of gentle and skillful
motion, enabling the reader to almost see and feel the action of fingers working
with the wool. This imagery enhances the tactile and visual experience, bringing the
scene to life in the reader’s mind.
Exact Line: “Find even the ivory needle hard to pull”
Reason: This line vividly depicts the struggle Aunt Jennifer faces, not just in her
craft but as a metaphor for her life’s challenges.
Exact Line: “The tigers in the panel that she made / Will go on prancing, proud and
unafraid.”
Reason: This line creates a vivid visual image of the tigers, symbolizing freedom and
fearlessness.
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
Figure of Speech: Metaphor
Exact Line: “Bright topaz denizens”
Reason: The term “bright topaz” is used metaphorically to describe the vibrant
yellow color of the tigers, enhancing the vividness of their depiction.
Exact Line: “massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band”
Reason: The ‘massive weight’ is a metaphor for the emotional and psychological
burden Aunt Jennifer bears in her marriage.
Figure of Speech: Alliteration
Exact Line: “sleek chivalric certainty”
Reason: The repetition of the ‘c’ sound in “chivalric certainty” provides a rhythmic
quality to the line, enhancing its poetic nature.
Exact Line: “fluttering fingers” and “Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her
wool”
Reason: The repetition of the ‘f’ sound creates a rhythmic and flowing sound,
emphasizing the movement of her fingers and adding a musical quality to the verse.
Exact Line: “prancing proud”
Reason: The repetition of the ‘p’ sound emphasizes the liveliness and confidence of
the tigers.

11. Figure of Speech: Assonance
Exact Line: “They do not fear the men beneath the tree”
Reason: The prominent sound of the vowel ‘e’ in this line adds a harmonious and
rhythmic quality, enhancing the lyrical flow.
Figure of Speech: Anaphora
Exact Lines:
“They do not fear the men beneath the tree;”
“They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.”
Reason: The repetition of the word “They” at the start of these consecutive lines
emphasizes the actions and qualities of the tigers, contributing to the poem’s
thematic unity and rhythm.
Figure of Speech: Personification
Exact Line: “They do not fear the men beneath the tree”
Reason: The tigers are given human-like qualities, notably the absence of fear. This
personification emphasizes their perceived bravery and independence.
Figure of Speech: Symbolism
Exact Line: “Bright topaz denizens of a world of green”
Reason: The tigers are symbolized as “bright topaz denizens,” indicating not only
their color but also their value and rarity. The “world of green” symbolizes a
natural, unbounded space, contrasting with Aunt Jennifer’s constrained existence.
Figure of Speech: Metonymy
Exact Line: “men beneath the tree”
Reason: This phrase likely represents patriarchal society and its oppressive
structures. The “men” are not specific individuals but a broader representation of
societal norms and constraints.
Figure of Speech: Oxymoron
Exact Line: “sleek chivalric certainty”
Reason: “Sleek” and “chivalric” are somewhat contrasting terms; “sleek” suggests
smoothness and modernity, while “chivalric” refers to the old-fashioned, gallant
behavior of knights, combining to convey a complex image of the tigers.
Exact Line: “The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band” Reason: The wedding
band symbolizes the oppressive nature of Aunt Jennifer’s marriage and the
patriarchal constraints she experiences.
Exact Line: “Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand”
Reason: The wedding band is personified as it ‘sits heavily,’ suggesting an active,
oppressive presence in her life.

12. Figure of Speech: Hyperbole
Exact Line: “The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band”
Reason: The description of the wedding band’s weight as ‘massive’ is an
exaggeration, emphasizing the psychological and emotional burden it represents.
Figure of Speech: Enjambment
Exact Lines:
“Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool / Find even the ivory needle
hard to pull.”
“The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band / Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s
hand.”
Reason: The continuation of sentences across lines without punctuational pauses
creates a sense of flow and continuity, mirroring the ongoing nature of Aunt
Jennifer’s struggles.
Exact Lines:
“When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie / Still ringed with ordeals she was
mastered by.”
“The tigers in the panel that she made / Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.”
Reason: The continuation of sentences across lines without punctuational pauses
enhances the flow and links the ideas seamlessly.
Figure of Speech: Assonance
Exact Lines:
“Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie.”
“go on prancing, proud and unafraid.”
“ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.”
Reason: The prominent vowel sounds ‘i,’ ‘o,’ and ‘e’ create a harmonious effect and
to the poem’s musical quality.
Figure of Speech: Contrast
Exact Lines:
“When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie”
“The tigers in the panel that she made / Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.”
Reason: The stark contrast between Aunt Jennifer’s fate and the vitality of the tigers
highlights the disparity between her reality and her artistic expression.
Figure of Speech: Paradox
Exact Line: “The tigers in the panel that she made”
Reason: The paradox lies in the fact that Aunt Jennifer, who lived a constrained life,
was able to create art that symbolized freedom and fearlessness.
Figure of Speech: Transferred Epithet
Exact Line: “her terrified hands will lie”
Reason: The adjective ‘terrified’ is transferred from Aunt Jennifer to her hands,
indicating her state of fear, even in death.

13. Figure of Speech: Synecdoche
Exact Line: “her terrified hands”
Reason: The reference to Aunt Jennifer’s ‘hands’ symbolically represents her entire
being, suggesting her overall state of terror.
Note- The line “her terrified hands will lie” can be interpreted as an example of both
a transferred epithet and synecdoche.
As a transferred epithet, the adjective ‘terrified’ is indeed transferred from Aunt
Jennifer to her hands, suggesting her state of fear.
As synecdoche, it uses a part (her hands) to represent the whole (Aunt Jennifer),
indicating her overall state of fear or distress.
Both interpretations are valid, and they complement each other in conveying the
poem’s deeper meaning about Aunt Jennifer’s emotional state.
Keeping quiet
Figure of Speech: Anaphora
Exact Line: “let’s not speak in any language; / let’s stop for a second,”
Reason: Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive
clauses. Here, “let’s” is repeated, creating a rhythmic emphasis on the actions proposed
by the speaker.
Figure of Speech: Assonance
Exact Line: “Now we will count to twelve, not move our arms so much.”
Reason: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within close proximity. The
prominent ‘o’ sound in this line creates a melodic rhythm, enhancing the poetic
quality of the verse.
Exact Line: “victory with no survivors, would put on clean clothes and walk about
with their brothers.”
Reason: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within close proximity. The
prominent ‘o’ sound in these lines creates a melodic rhythm, enhancing the poetic
quality of the verse.
Figure of Speech: Alliteration
Exact Line: “we will”
Reason: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.
The repetition of the ‘w’ sound in “we will” adds a musical element to the line and
draws attention to the collective action.
Exact Lines:
“we would” (repetition of the letter ‘W’)
“sudden strangeness” (repetition of the letter ‘S’)
“his hurt hands” (repetition of the letter ‘H’)

14. Reason: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.
These repetitions add a musical element to the lines and draw attention to the
respective phrases.
Exact Lines:
“wars with” (repetition of the letter ‘W’)
“clean clothes” (repetition of the letter ‘C’)
Reason: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.
These repetitions add a musical element to the lines and draw attention to the
respective phrases.
Exact Lines:
“we were” (repetition of the letter ‘W’)
“so single-minded” (repetition of the letter ‘S’)
Reason: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.
These repetitions add a musical element to the lines and draw attention to the
respective phrases.
Figure of Speech: Repetition
Exact Lines: “Now I’ll count up to twelve / and you keep quiet and I will go.”
Reason: Repetition is used to reinforce a concept or theme. The repetition of the
counting and the instruction to keep quiet ties back to the poem’s opening, creating
a sense of closure and emphasizing the poem’s central theme of silence and
introspection.
Exact Line: “wars with gas, wars with fire,”
Reason: Repetition involves using the same word or phrase multiple times to
emphasize a concept. The repeated use of “wars” highlights the persistent theme of
conflict and its consequences.
Figure of Speech: Symbolism
Exact Line: “Now we will count to twelve”
Reason: Symbolism involves using an object or action to represent an idea.
Counting to twelve symbolizes a brief, defined period of time, representing a
moment of global stillness and unity.
Exact Lines:
“Fishermen in the cold sea / would not harm whales”
“the man gathering salt”
Reason: Symbolism involves using an object or action to represent an idea. The
fishermen and whales symbolize the oppressor and the oppressed, respectively,
suggesting a moment of harmony and non-violence. The man gathering salt
represents humanity, emphasizing the universal nature of the poem’s theme.

15. Exact Line: “clean clothes”
Reason: Symbolism involves using an object or action to represent an idea. “Clean
clothes” symbolize peace and renewal, suggesting a fresh start away from conflict
and violence.
Figure of Speech: Personification
Exact Line: “Perhaps the Earth can teach us”
Reason: Personification is attributing human characteristics to non-human entities
or abstract concepts. Here, the Earth is given the human ability to teach,
suggesting that it has wisdom to offer, particularly about cycles of life and renewal.
Exact Line: “a huge silence / might interrupt this sadness”
Reason: Personification attributes human characteristics to non-human entities or
abstract concepts. Here, “silence” is given the human ability to “interrupt,”
suggesting it has the power to actively intervene in our emotional state.
Figure of Speech: Hyperbole
Exact Line: “It would be an exotic moment”
Reason: Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.
Describing the moment of global stillness as “exotic” exaggerates its uniqueness
and profound impact.
Exact Line: “a huge silence”
Reason: Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. The
phrase “a huge silence” amplifies the extent and impact of silence, suggesting it has
a profound and expansive presence.
Figure of Speech: Irony
Exact Lines:
“Green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire.”
“victories with no survivors.”
Reason: Irony involves a contrast between expectations and reality. “Green wars”
and “wars with gas, wars with fire” contrast the destructive nature of war with the
misleadingly benign terms. “Victories with no survivors” is ironic because a victory
usually implies success, but here it results in complete loss.
Figure of Speech: Oxymoron
Exact Line: “victories with no survivors,”
Reason: An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. This
phrase juxtaposes “victories” with “no survivors,” highlighting the futility and
tragedy of war.

16. Figure of Speech: Paradox
Exact Lines: “What I want should not be confused / with total inactivity. / Life is
what it is about…”
Reason: A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself but reveals a deeper truth.
This phrase suggests that doing nothing, in this context, is not about inactivity but
about choosing life over death, a concept that seems contradictory but is deeply
meaningful within the poem’s theme
Figure of Speech: Metaphor
Exact Line: “I want no truck with death.”
Reason: A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way
that isn’t literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. Here,
“truck” is used metaphorically to mean involvement or dealing. The poet is saying
he wants no involvement with death, emphasizing a preference for life and peace.
Exact Line: “threatening ourselves with death.”
Reason: A metaphor describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true,
but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. Here, the metaphor suggests that
our relentless pace of life and lack of self-understanding are akin to a threat of
death, emphasizing the detrimental effects of our lifestyle.
Figure of Speech: Extended Metaphor
Exact Lines: “as when everything seems dead / and later proves to be alive.”
Reason: An extended metaphor is a comparison that is continued through several
lines or throughout a poem. In these lines, the period of stillness and quiet is
compared to winter, a time when life seems dormant but is actually preparing for
renewal. This metaphor extends the idea of learning from natural cycles to human
behavior and consciousness.
Figure of Speech: Imagery
Exact Line: “as when everything seems dead / and later proves to be alive.”
Reason: Imagery involves using descriptive language to create a vivid picture in the
reader’s mind. This line evokes the image of the natural cycle of seasons,
symbolizing hope and rebirth.
Figure of Speech: Contrast
Exact Line: “everything seems dead / and later proves to be alive”
Reason: The stark contrast between what “seems dead” and what “proves to be
alive” highlights the transformative power of nature and the potential for
unexpected renewal.

17. Figure of Speech: Simile
Exact Line: “her face ashen like that of a corpse”
Reason: This line uses “like” to compare the mother’s pale, ashen face to that of a
corpse, emphasizing the pallor associated with aging and frailty. It creates a stark
image of the mother’s current state, contrasting with the vitality of life.
Exact Line: “wan, pale as a late winter’s moon”
Reason: The poet uses a simile to compare her mother’s pale face to a “late
winter’s moon.” This comparison emphasizes the paleness and suggests a sense of
fading beauty, akin to the waning phase of the moon in late winter.
Figure of Speech: Assonance
Exact Lines:
i. “Home to Cochin last Friday morning”
ii. “doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse”
Reason: The prominent ‘o’ sound repeated in these lines creates a sonorous effect,
contributing to the overall mood of the stanza. This assonance adds a layer of
auditory imagery, enhancing the reflective and somber tone.
Figure of Speech: Imagery
Exact Line: “doze, open mouthed, her face ashen”
Reason: This description creates a detailed visual image of the mother as she
sleeps, highlighting her vulnerability and the signs of ageing. It allows the reader to
vividly picture the scene, adding to the emotional depth of the poem.
Exact Line: “Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes”
Reason: This vivid imagery contrasts the static, aging figure of the mother with the
dynamic, lively world outside. The description of trees and children in motion
evokes a sense of vitality and joy.
Exact Line: “wan, pale as a late winter’s moon”
Reason: This line paints a vivid picture of the mother’s appearance, invoking the
subdued, pale light of a winter moon. The imagery underscores the quiet
resignation and the sense of an approaching end.
My mother @ 66
Figure of Speech: Repetition
Exact Line: “looked out at Young”
Reason: The repetition of “looked” underscores the poet’s shift in attention from
her mother to the outside world. It emphasizes the transition from introspection
to observation.

18. Exact Line: “All I did was smile and smile and smile……”
Reason: The thrice-repeated word “smile” emphasizes the poet’s continuous effort
to maintain a façade of happiness and reassurance in front of her mother, despite
her deep-seated fears and sadness.
Exact Line: “All I did was smile and smile and smile……”
Reason: The repeated use of the word “smile” in this line is an example of
repetition. It emphasizes the poet’s persistent effort to maintain a positive front,
concealing her true emotions of concern and sadness about her mother’s aging.
This repetition effectively conveys the depth of the poet’s internal struggle.
Figure of Speech: Enjambment
Exact Lines:
i. “Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday”
ii. “morning, I saw my mother, beside me,”
Reason: Enjambment occurs when a sentence in a poem continues beyond the end
of a line without a pause, like from the first to the second line here. It creates a
flowing, uninterrupted feeling that matches the ongoing drive and the narrator’s
continuous thoughts, adding smoothness to the poem’s structure.
Exact Lines:
– “And realised with pain / that she was as old as she looked but soon”
– “put that thought away, and looked out at Young / Trees sprinting, the merry
children spilling”
Reason: The continuation of sentences across lines without pauses or end stops,
particularly in these lines, creates enjambment. This technique allows the poem to
flow smoothly, mirroring the continuous stream of the narrator’s thoughts and
observations, and connecting different parts of the narrative seamlessly.
Exact Lines:
– “But after the airport’s Security check, standing a few yards”
– “Away, I looked again at her, wan, pale”
Reason: The sentence flows over multiple lines without a pause, reflecting the
smooth transition of the narrator’s thoughts and gaze. This enjambment adds to
the poem’s introspective and continuous narrative flow.

19. Exact Lines:
“But after the airport’s Security check, standing a few yards”
“Away, I looked again at her, wan, pale”
Reason: The sentence flows over multiple lines without a pause, reflecting the
smooth transition of the narrator’s thoughts and gaze. This enjambment adds to
the poem’s introspective and continuous narrative flow.
Figure of Speech: Consonance
Exact Lines:
i. “Put that thought away and looked out at young”
ii. “That she was old as she looked but soon”
Reason: The repeated ‘t’ sound in the first line and the ‘s’ sound in the second line
exemplify consonance, creating a rhythmic and melodic quality. This technique
enhances the emotional tone of the stanza.
Figure of Speech: Personification
Exact Line: “Trees sprinting”
Reason: The personification of trees as “sprinting” adds life and movement to the
scene, contrasting with the mother’s stillness and age.
Figure of Speech: Juxtaposition
Exact Lines:
“that she was as old as she looked”
“looked out at Young Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their
homes”
Reason: The juxtaposition of the aging mother with the energetic surroundings
emphasizes the poet’s emotional realization and her attempt to find solace in the
liveliness of the world around her.
Exact Lines:
“But after the airport’s Security check”
“wan, pale as a late winter’s moon”
Reason: The poet juxtaposes the setting of an airport security check with the still,
pale image of her mother. This contrast emphasizes the difference between the
busy activities of life and the profound realization of her mother’s aging.
Exact Lines:
“Familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,”
“All I did was smile and smile and smile……”
Reason: The juxtaposition of the poet’s internal feelings of fear and her outward
action of smiling underscores the tension between her emotional reality and the
façade she presents to protect her mother.

20. Figure of Speech: Metaphor
Exact Line: “Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes”
Reason: The poet uses metaphorical language to describe the trees and children,
attributing human actions to them. This metaphor enhances the contrast between
the stillness of age and the energy of youth.
Figure of Speech: Symbolism
Exact Line: “wan, pale as a late winter’s moon”
Reason: The “late winter’s moon” symbolizes decay and the end of a cycle. It mirrors
the mother’s aging process, portraying it as a natural and inevitable part of life’s
cycle.
Figure of Speech: Alliteration
Exact Line: “Security check, standing a few yards”
Reason: The repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “Security” and “standing” creates a soft
alliteration, adding to the stanza’s contemplative tone.
Exact Line: “But all I said was, see you soon, Amma,”
Reason: The repetition of the ‘s’ sound in this line creates alliteration, adding a
melodic quality to the words. This alliteration underlines the tenderness and
affection in the poet’s parting words to her mother.
Figure of Speech: Allusion (conditional)
Exact Line: “And felt that old Familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,”
Reason: If “my childhood’s fear” references a specific, universally recognized or
previously mentioned fear, it would constitute an allusion. This would imply a
deeper connection to a broader theme or story, enriching the line’s meaning within
that context.
Figure of Speech: Contrast
Exact Lines:
“Familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,”
“All I did was smile and smile and smile……”
Reason: There is a stark contrast between the poet’s internal turmoil and her external
expression of smiling. This highlights the dichotomy between one’s true emotions and
the façade presented to the world, especially in protecting loved ones from worry.

21. 1.Attention
-Use phone less
-Prioritize sleep
-Excercise
2.Alert
-Have a focus point
-(Light) excercise
-Sufficient eating
3.Sleep
-Sleep to transform short-term memories in the hippocampus->long-term memories in the
cortex
4.Repetition and Spacing
-Learning is like excercising, to get 'muscles' you need repeting it
5.Breaks
-Deep breaks (15 minutes) after learning to let brain recall the information
6.Mistakes
-Go for challenges, matches, competitions, or simply practice the thing you want to learn
the different way
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