CLASS – XII
POETIC DEVICES
1. My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamala Das Personification:
Example: "the sun, the moon, trees old and young" (elements
Simile: Comparison using 'like' or 'as' of nature are personified).
Example: "as a late winter’s moon" (compares her mother’s
pale, aging face to a winter’s moon). Symbolism:
Example: Beauty symbolizes eternal joy and solace.
Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning
of words
Example: "smile, smile and smile." 4. A Roadside Stand by Robert Frost
Imagery: Vivid descriptions appealing to the senses Alliteration:
Example: "the young trees sprinting, the merry children spilling Example: "polished traffic passed."
out of their homes."
Personification:
Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things Example: "the sadness that lurks near the open window."
Example: "the trees sprinting" (trees are described as if they
are running). Irony:
Example: Contrast between the simplicity of the roadside
Enjambment: Continuation of a sentence without a pause stand and the sophisticated city people.
beyond the end of a line
Example: The poem flows without punctuation, mimicking Imagery:
natural thought. Example: "withering flowers" evokes visual imagery.
Enjambment:
2. Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda Example: Sentences flow across lines without punctuation.
Alliteration: 5. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich
Example: "we will count to twelve."
Symbolism:
Metaphor: Example: The tigers symbolize strength and fearlessness,
Example: "fishermen in the cold sea" (symbolizing human contrasting with Aunt Jennifer’s constrained life.
activity harming nature).
Alliteration:
Imagery: Example: "fingers fluttering."
Example: "cold sea" and "salt gatherer" create vivid pictures.
Imagery:
Repetition: Example: "bright topaz denizens of a world of green."
Example: "without rush, without engines."
Metaphor:
Personification: Example: "massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band" (marriage
Example: "the earth can teach us" (the earth is given the ability is compared to a burden).
to teach).
Personification:
Example: The tigers are described as if they possess human
3. A Thing of Beauty by John Keats traits.
Imagery:
Example: "shady boon," "daffodils in green world."
Metaphor:
Example: "a bower quiet for us" (beauty as a peaceful place).
Alliteration:
Example: "cooling covert" and "noble natures."
