List of Poetic Devices used in Maharashtra State Board Class 10 English Poems
Poetic Devices in Maharashtra State Board Class 10 English Poems – A “poetic device” refers to anything a poet uses to enhance the literal meaning of their poem. Poetic devices are an essential part of English poetry. It is therefore a tool that significantly enhances a poem’s substance, heightens its feel, or provides the essential rhythm. Let’s have a look at the poetic devices which have been used in Maharashtra State Board Class 10 English Kumarbharati book Poems.
- Poem 1.1 – Where the Mind is Without Fear
- Poem 1.4 – All the World’s a Stage
- Poem 2.1 – Animals
- Poem 2.4 – The Pulley
- Poem 3.1 – Night of the Scorpion
- Poem 3.4 – The Will to Win
- Poem 4.1 – A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever
- Poem 4.4 – The Height of the Ridiculous
Poem 1.1 – Where the Mind is Without Fear
- Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
For example, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high”
“Dreary desert sand of dead habit”
- Repetition
Repetition of certain words and phrases for emphasis.
For example, “Where” is repeated at the beginning of several lines, highlighting the importance of the conditions being described.
“Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way”
- Metaphor
A figure of speech that is used to make a comparison
For example, “clear stream of reason” compares reason to a flowing body of water, suggesting its clarity and importance.
Another example is “dreary desert sand of dead habit” which compares blindly following tradition to a barren wasteland.
- Anaphora
Anaphora refers to the deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses.
For example, the poet repeats the word “Where” seven times throughout the poem.
“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by Thee”
- Enjambment
Enjambment refers to a sentence or clause continuing on to the next line of poetry without a pause indicated by punctuation.
For example,
“Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls”
“Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit”
“Where the mind is led forward by Thee
Into ever-widening thought and action”
Related:
Where the Mind is Without Fear Summary, Explanation, Theme | Maharashtra Board Class 10
Where the Mind is Without Fear Question Answers Class 10 Maharashtra State Board
Poem 1.4 – All the World’s a Stage
- Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two things using words like “like” or “as.”
For example-
- “creeping like snail” (compares the schoolboy’s slow movement to a snail)
- “Sighing like furnace” (compares the lover’s intense emotions to the heat of a furnace)
- Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words
For example-
“They have their exits and their entrances” (repetition of “e” for emphasis).
“His youthful hose, well-saved, a world too wide” (repetition of “w” for emphasis).
- Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things without using “like” or “as.” It suggests that one thing actually is another, creating a deeper meaning or image.
For example-
“Men and women merely players” compares humans to actors playing roles throughout life.
- Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech where a word imitates the sound it describes.
For example-
“And then the whining schoolboy” – whining suggests complaining or fussing in a high-pitched voice.
“Sighing like a furnace” – sighing indicates the act of exhaling a long, audible breath.
- Inversion
Inversion is a figure of speech where the normal grammatical order of a sentence is rearranged for emphasis or stylistic effect.
For example-
“His acts being seven ages.”
“With eyes severe and beard of formal cut”
- Transferred Epithet
A transferred epithet is a figure of speech where an adjective or descriptive phrase meant for one thing is applied to another.
For example-
“With a woeful ballad” – Here, “woeful” is an adjective describing the ballad but the sadness of the ballad is transferred to the lover who sings it.
Related:
All the World’s a Stage Summary, Explanation, Theme | Maharashtra Board Class 10
All the World’s a Stage Question Answers Class 10 Maharashtra State Board
Poem 2.1 – Animals
- Assonance: use of vowel sound ‘I’ (I, think, I, live, with, animals)
2. Repetition: use of the word ‘long’ - Anaphora: ‘I’ word used at the start of two consecutive lines
use of repeated words at the beginning of two or more consecutive lines (use of “they do not”)
4. Metaphor: sweat and whine refer to the cries and complaints of human beings
The inner qualities of humans are referred to as tokens
Related:
Animals Class 10 Summary, Explanation, Question Answer
Animals Question Answers Class 10 Maharashtra State Board
Poem 2.4 – The Pulley
- 1. Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words
For example-
“Repining restlessness” (repetition of “r” for emphasis).
- Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things without using “like” or “as.” It suggests that one thing actually is another, creating a deeper meaning or image.
For example-
- The Pulley: The central metaphor compares God to someone using a pulley (a lifting mechanism) to draw humanity closer to him. Restlessness acts as the rope that eventually pulls humans towards God.
- Inversion
Inversion is a figure of speech where the normal grammatical order of a sentence is rearranged for emphasis or stylistic effect.
For example-
“So both should losers be” – The words have been arranged in an inverse manner to add a poetic effect. Correct Order: “So both should be losers”
- Imagery
Imagery is a poetic device which creates a vivid picture in the minds of the readers.
For example-
- The Glass of Blessings
This image helps us visualize God having a tangible storehouse of good things.
- Paradox
A statement that seems contradictory on the surface but may contain a deeper truth.
For example- rich and weary
- Repetition
Repeating words or phrases over and over again for emphasis.
For example- Here, the word Nature is repeated.
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature.
Related:
The Pulley Summary, Explanation, Theme | Maharashtra Board Class 10
The Pulley Question Answers Class 10 Maharashtra State Board
Poem 3.1 – Night of the Scorpion
- Imagery – Imagery refers to language that evokes one or more of the five senses: sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing.
The poem is rich with visual imagery, allowing the reader to imagine the scene.
For example,
- “flash of diabolic tail in the dark room,”
- “throwing giant scorpion shadows on the mud-baked walls,”
- “My mother twisted through and through, groaning on a mat.”
- Simile- A simile is a comparison between two things that uses “like” or “as” to connect them.
For example,
- “The peasants came like swarms of flies”
The poet compares the group of villagers to a swarm of flies.
- Metaphor- A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two things without using words like “like” or “as.”
For example, The scorpion is referred to as the “Evil One,” creating a metaphor that emphasizes the villagers’ fear and perception of the creature.
- Personification – Personification gives human qualities to non-human things.
For example, “the flame feeding on my mother”
This an example of personification, giving a human quality to the flame.
- Alliteration– Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words close together.
For example,
- “Parting with his poison”
- May the poison purify your flesh
- I watched the flame feeding on my mother.
- Onomatopoeia
A word which resembles the sound it represents.
For example,
- “buzzed the name of God”
It describes the way the peasants spoke the name, which is in a low, continuous, and repetitive way, similar to a buzzing sound.
Related:
Night of the Scorpion Summary, Explanation, Theme | Maharashtra Board Class 10
Night of the Scorpion Question Answers Class 10 Maharashtra State Board
Poem 3.4 – The Will to Win
- Repetition: Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.
Example:
“ If you gladly sweat for, fret for and plan for it and lose
all your terror of the opposition for it.
If you simply go after that thing that you want with all
of your capacity, strength and sagacity, faith, hope and
confidence and stern pertinacity.”
- Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or stressed syllables.
Example:
- fret for
- of body and brain
can keep you away from the thing that you want,
- besiege and beset it
- Metaphor: A comparison between two things that are not alike, but share a similar characteristic. Not directly stated like a simile (uses “like” or “as”).
Example: “Besiege and beset it” (compares pursuing the goal to a military siege)
Related:
The Will to Win Summary, Explanation, Theme | Maharashtra Board Class 10
The Will to Win Question Answers Class 10 Maharashtra State Board
Poem 4.1 – A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever
- Metaphor
Comparing one thing to another without using “like” or “as.”
For example,
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” – The line is directly equating beauty with everlasting joy.
“Nor do we merely feel these essences / For one short hour” – Here, “essences” is used metaphorically to represent the intangible qualities of beauty.
- Imagery
Creating vivid mental pictures through descriptive language.
For example,
“Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.”
“A flowery band to bind us to the earth”
“Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms”
- Enjambment
Continuing a sentence from one line to the next without punctuation. This is used throughout the poem. For example-
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.”
- Anaphora
Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses.
For example-
“Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and oer-darkened ways”
- Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
For example,
“A flowery band to bind us to the earth”
“Of noble natures, of the gloomy days”
“Some shape of beauty moves away the pall”
“For simple sheep “
- Antitheses
Antithesis is a poetic device that contrasts opposing ideas in parallel structure.
For example, “Trees old, and young.”
- Inversion
Poetic device where the normal order of words is reversed for emphasis or rhythm. For example-
“Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing” – The usual order would be “Therefore, we are wreathing on every morrow.”
- Symbolism
Use of objects, characters, figures, or colors to represent abstract ideas or qualities.
In Keats’ poem, several symbols contribute to the overall theme:
- Beauty: This is the most obvious symbol, representing joy, solace, and inspiration.
- Bower: Symbolizes a peaceful retreat from life’s troubles.
- Sleep: Represents rest, renewal, and escape from the world’s cares.
- Flower: Symbolizes growth, beauty, and the cycle of life.
- Sun and Moon: Represent the cyclical nature of time and the enduring presence of beauty.
- Trees: Symbolizing growth, strength, and longevity.
Related:
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever Summary, Explanation, Theme | Maharashtra Board Class 10
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever Question Answers Class 10 Maharashtra State Board
Poem 4.4 – The Height of the Ridiculous
- Hyperbole
A figure of speech that involves deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or humorous effect.
For example- “I laughed as I would die”
- Alliteration
Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of several words that are close together.
For example,
grin grew
burst five buttons
- Enjambment
A sentence or clause continues from one line to the next without a pause indicated by punctuation.For example,
“And saw him peep within
At the first line he read, his face
Was all upon the grin
He read the next; the grin grew broad
And shot from ear to ear;”
Related:
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever Summary, Explanation, Theme | Maharashtra Board Class 10
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever Question Answers Class 10 Maharashtra State Board
Also See:
Maharashtra State Board Class 10 English Lesson
Maharashtra State Board Class 10 English (First Language) Syllabus 2024-25
Maharashtra State Board Class 10 English Word Meanings