, QUESTION1: METAPHOR
[10]
1 What is the most widely used figure of speech in poetry and what is its specific
characteristic? (2)
Metaphor is the most widely used figure of speech in poetry. A metaphor involves making
a direct comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting that they are alike in some
way without using "like" or "as."
In the poem "A Dream Within A Dream" by Edgar Allan Poe, the following lines exhibit
metaphorical elements:
1. "That my days have been a dream:"
• In this line, the poet metaphorically compares the speaker's days to a dream,
implying that they are ephemeral and perhaps not fully tangible or real.
2. "All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream."
• Here, the entire existence is metaphorically described as a dream within a
dream, emphasizing the transient and elusive nature of reality.
Metaphors, such as those used in this poem, contribute to the depth and richness of poetic
expression by conveying complex emotions and ideas in a vivid and imaginative way.
2. Which specific metaphorical construction is “the pitiless wave” in line 23?
Mention and briefly describe the different constituent parts. (2)
The specific metaphorical construction in the line "One from the pitiless wave?" (line 23) is
an example of personification.
Personification is a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to non-human
entities or objects. In this case, the "pitiless wave" is personified, as it is described as
being "pitiless," suggesting a lack of mercy or compassion, characteristics typically
associated with human emotions.
Briefly describing the different constituent parts:
1. "Pitiless": This adjective ascribes human-like qualities of cruelty or lack of
compassion to the wave, imbuing it with a sense of harshness and indifference.
2. "Wave": Literally, a wave is a natural occurrence in the ocean. However, in this
metaphorical construction, the wave is given the attribute of being pitiless,
transforming it into a force that seems intent on causing harm or destruction.
This personification enhances the emotional impact of the poem, creating a vivid image of
the relentless and unfeeling nature of the challenges or adversities faced by the speaker.
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