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A poetic device is a tool the poet uses to make an idea stronger, clearer, or more memorable.
Plain definition: A conditional sentence uses “if” to show a possible or imagined situation.
Everyday example: For example, “If I were a bird, I would fly” imagines something that is not really true.
Use in this poem: In this poem, “If words could satisfy the heart” and “If words could satisfy the chest” show ideas the poet does not fully accept.
Plain definition: A simile compares two things using “like” or “as”.
Everyday example: For example, “as brave as a lion” compares a person to a lion.
Use in this poem: In this poem, “words, like summer birds, depart”, “as little worth as just so many weeds”, and “Like plants that make a gaudy show” are similes.
Plain definition: A metaphor directly calls one thing another thing without using “like” or “as”.
Everyday example: For example, “Time is money” means time is very valuable.
Use in this poem: In this poem, “The heart, a pilgrim upon earth” directly presents the heart as a traveller searching for true comfort.
Plain definition: Personification gives human actions or qualities to a thing or idea.
Everyday example: For example, “the wind whispered” gives the wind a human action.
Use in this poem: In this poem, words “depart”, “reach the head”, “touch the heart”, and are “summoned to the test”, as if words were living beings.
Plain definition: Antithesis places opposite ideas close together to show a clear contrast.
Everyday example: For example, “less is more” places two opposite ideas side by side.
Use in this poem: In this poem, “a little said” is contrasted with “hosts of words”, and “reach the head” is contrasted with “touch the heart”.
Plain definition: Repetition means using the same word, phrase, or idea again to make it memorable.
Everyday example: For example, “Never, never, never give up” repeats “never” to make the advice strong.
Use in this poem: In this poem, the idea “If words could satisfy...” appears in Stanza 1 and returns in Stanza 5 to hold the poem together.
Plain definition: Symbolism means using one thing to stand for a larger idea.
Everyday example: For example, a dove often stands for peace.
Use in this poem: In this poem, the heart stands for true feeling, weeds stand for useless words, and fruit stands for useful results.
