Poetic Devices in BSEB Class 10 English Poems

by | Jun 29, 2024 | General | 0 comments

 

Poetic Devices in BSEB Class 10 English Poems

 

List of Poetic Devices used in BSEB Class 10 English Poems

 

Poetic Devices in BSEB 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 BSEB Class 10 English Panorama-II Book Poems.
 

 

Poem 1 – God Made The Country

 

  1. Metaphor: 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. The following are the metaphors in the poem:
  • “God Made the country, and man made the town.”- The countryside and the town are metaphorically compared to emphasize their origins.
  • “The splendor of your lamps; they but eclipse Our softer satellite.”- The city lights are metaphorically compared to eclipsing the moon, representing their brightness overpowering the moon’s softer light.
  • “Possess ye, therefore, ye who borne about In chariots and sedans.”- The wealthy individuals traveling in chariots and sedans are metaphorically compared to suggest their luxurious lifestyle.
  • “And taste no scenes But such as art contrives.”- The scenes created by art are metaphorically compared to suggest their artificial nature compared to natural scenes, i.e, the natural beauty of scenes found in nature.

 

  1. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature. The following are personifications in the poem:
  • “The moonbeam, sliding softly in between The sleeping leaves.”
  • “Birds warbling all the music.”
  • “Our groves were planted to console at noon.”
  • “The pensive wanderer in their shades.”

 

  1. Enjambment – The continuation of a sentence to the next line without any punctuation mark in the end of the first line

The splendor of you lamps; they but eclipse

Our softer satellite. Your songs confound

Our more harmonious notes: the thrush departs

 

  1. Anaphora – The repetition of the same word at the start of two or more consecutive lines.

That can alone make sweet the bitter draught

That life holds out to all, should most abound

The moonbeam, sliding softly in between

The sleeping leaves, is all the light they wish,

 

  1. Alliteration: the repetition of a consonant sound at the start of two or more consecutive words

Man made

What wonder

Then that

Sliding softly

Softer satellite

 

  1. Antithesis – use of opposite words

Sweet bitter

 

 

Related:

God Made The Country Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words | BSEB Class 10 English Poem 1

God Made The Country Question Answers BSEB Class 10 English Panorama-II Book

 

Poem 2 – Ode On Solitude

 

  1. Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /e/ in “Happy the man, whose wish and care” and the sound of /o/ in “Whose flocks supply him with attire.”

 

  1. Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line in quick successions, such as the sound of /s/ in “years slide soft away.”

 

  1. Anaphora: It refers to the repetition of a word or expression in the first part of some verses. Alexander Pope has repeated the word “whose” in the second stanza of the poem to emphasize the point such as;

“Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,

Whose flocks supply him with attire,

Whose trees in summer yield him shade,

In winter fire.”

 

  1. Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /s/ in “Whose trees in summer yield him shade” and the sound of /t/ in “Together mixed; sweet recreation.”

 

  1. Enjambment: It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break; rather, it rolls over to the next line. For example;

“Happy the man, whose wish and care

A few paternal acres bound,”

 

  1. Epigraph: It is a device used in the form of a poem, quote, or sentence, usually placed at the beginning of the poem to suggest the overall theme of the poem. Alexander has used this device in the opening lines where it is stated as “Happy the man, whose wish and care/A few paternal acres bound.”

 

  1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. Alexander Pope used imagery in this poem such as “Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread”, “Whose trees in summer yield him shade” and “Sound sleep by night; study and ease.”

 

  1. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature. The writer has used man’s nature as an extended metaphor in the poem to show how he stays content and thankful for what he has in life. 

 

 

Related:
Ode On Solitude Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words | BSEB Class 10 English Poem 2

Ode On Solitude Question Answers BSEB Class 10 English Panorama-II Book

 

Poem 3 – Polythene Bag

 

  1. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.

The entire poem is an extended metaphor, comparing emotional hurt to a polythene bag. This metaphor runs throughout the poem, with various aspects of a polythene bag representing different characteristics of emotional hurt, such as

  •  “‘Hurt’ is such a strange polythene bag”- In this metaphor, emotional hurt is directly compared to a polythene bag, suggesting that both are enduring and persistent.
  •  “Just like the polyethene bag, his ‘hurt’ too melts down, with a little touch of warmth.”- Emotional hurt is metaphorically compared to a polythene bag melting down with warmth, implying that hurt can soften or diminish when met with kindness or empathy.

 

  1. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
  • “the germs of the disease keep on growing” – Here, the poet personifies the germs of the disease, attributing them with the human-like quality of growth.

 

  1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. 
  • “When touched it makes a squeaky noise” – This line creates auditory imagery, evoking the sound of a squeaky noise.
  •  “when burnt it exudes a pungent smell” – This line creates olfactory imagery, evoking the smell of something pungent.
  • “the germs of the disease keep on growing” – This line creates visual imagery, suggesting the image of germs multiplying and spreading.

 

  1. Symbolism: It is the use of an object, person, situation or word to represent something else, like an idea, in literature.
  •  “the germs of the disease” – This symbolizes the negative emotions or consequences that arise from unresolved emotional hurt.

 

 

Related:
Polythene Bag Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words | BSEB Class 10 English Poem 3

Polythene Bag Question Answers BSEB Class 10 English Panorama-II Book

 

Poem 4 – Thinner Than A Crescent

 

  1. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
  • “Her tears carved a river”: This metaphor compares Radha’s tears to a river, emphasizing the abundance and flow of her tears.

 

  1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. 
  • “Thinner than the crescent in the sky”: The imagery of the crescent moon emphasizes Radha’s frailty and delicacy, highlighting her declining physical state.

 

  1. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a literary device used to draw emphasis through extreme exaggeration, with examples in film and literature.
  • “Thinner than the crescent in the sky”: This hyperbolic comparison exaggerates Radha’s physical condition, emphasizing her extreme frailty and thinness.

 

  1. Repetition: It is a literary device in which a word or phrase is used multiple times to create rhythm or emphasize a word or phrase. 
  • The repetition of the phrase “Thinner ” in the last line emphasizes Radha’s diminishing state and adds rhythmic emphasis to the description.

 

  1. Apostrophe: It is a literary device writers use to address someone or something that is not physically present. 
  • “O Madhava”: The speaker directly addresses Madhava (Lord Krishna) in an apostrophe, calling out to him for help or intervention.

 

 

Related:
Thinner Than A Crescent Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words | BSEB Class 10 English Poem 4

Thinner Than A Crescent Question Answers BSEB Class 10 English Panorama-II Book

 

Poem 5 – The Empty Heart 

 

  1. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
  • “The demon Desire”- Desire is metaphorically described as a demon
  • “The void in the heart”- The feeling of emptiness and dissatisfaction is described metaphorically

 

  1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. 
  • “Glistering gold in pitchers seven”- Visual imagery of shining gold
  • “He rose before cock-crow, past midnight he worked; Eating, drinking and sleep he shirked”- Imagery depicting the man’s exhaustive and obsessive routine

 

  1. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a literary device used to draw emphasis through extreme exaggeration, with examples in film and literature.
  • “He wrecked his health, his conscience sold” – This hyperbolic comparison exaggerates the extent of his moral and physical degradation.

 

  1. Repetition: It is a literary device in which a word or phrase is used multiple times to create rhythm or emphasize a word or phrase. 
  • “Morning, noon and night”- Emphasizes the man’s constant obsession
  • “Harder and harder he tried”- Highlights his relentless but futile efforts

 

  1. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
  • “The demon Desire now made him mad”- Desire is personified as a demon causing madness
  • “The tree unkind took into its mind”- The tree is personified as having thoughts and being unkind

 

 

Related:
The Empty Heart Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words | BSEB Class 10 English Poem 5

The Empty Heart Question Answers BSEB Class 10 English Panorama-II Book

 

Poem 6 – Koel 

 

  1. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
  • “What lightning fell? What singed thy wings?”- Lightning is used metaphorically to suggest a sudden and intense experience or transformation.
  • “The fire of love has charred my wings”- Love is metaphorically compared to fire, representing its intense and transformative nature.

 

  1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. 
  • “Concealed in the mango-leaves”- This creates a vivid image of the bird hidden among the foliage.
  • “The shades of mangoes burn!”- Evokes the image of mango tree shades appearing to catch fire due to the intensity of the bird’s song.

 

  1. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a literary device used to draw emphasis through extreme exaggeration, with examples in film and literature.
  • “Thy high-pitched strains wake in my soul a thousand memories!”- Exaggerates the impact of the bird’s song on the poet’s memories, emphasizing its evocative power.

 

4.Simile: It is a literary device that compares two unlike or different things. 

  • “What a rain of sparks art thou, O little bird!”- The bird’s song is compared to a rain of sparks, emphasizing its intense and fiery nature.

 

  1. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
  • “The fire of love has charred my wings”- Love is personified as a force capable of charring the bird’s wings.
  • “why are thy leave so still?”- Leaves are personified as if they have the ability to speak or move.

 

 

Related:
Koel Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words | BSEB Class 10 English Poem 6

Koel Question Answers BSEB Class 10 English Panorama-II Book

 

Poem 7 – The Sleeping Porter 

 

  1. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
  • “His body is an abode of fleas and lice.”- This metaphor compares the porter’s body to a dwelling place, emphasizing the extent of the infestation.

 

  1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. 
  • “snow-clad peaks”- This phrase creates a vivid image of mountains covered in snow.

 

  1. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a literary device used to draw emphasis through extreme exaggeration, with examples in film and literature.
  • “reigning over the rich kingdom of sleep.” – This phrase exaggerates the porter’s sleep as if he is a monarch ruling over a kingdom.

 

  1. Simile: It is a literary device that compares two unlike or different things. 
  • “Like a bird, his heart is twittering, painting.”- The poet compares the porter’s heart beating rapidly to the twittering of a bird, using the word “like” to establish the comparison.

 

  1. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
  • “Beneath this hero of the mountain…”- The mountain is personified as if it has the ability to acknowledge the porter as a hero.

 

 

Related:

The Sleeping Porter Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words | BSEB Class 10 English Poem 7

The Sleeping Porter Question Answers BSEB Class 10 English Panorama-II Book

 

Poem 8 – Martha

 

  1. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
  • “Her grave small lovely head, / Seemed half the meaning / Of the words she said.” – This metaphor suggests that Martha’s physical presence and expressions convey as much meaning as her words.

 

  1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. 
  • “In the hazel glen.”
  • “Fairies and gnomes stole out / In the leaf-green light.” 

These lines create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind, enhancing the magical and serene atmosphere of the poem. 

 

  1. Repetition: Repetition is a literary device in which a word or phrase is used multiple times to create rhythm or emphasize a word or phrase.
  • “Once… Once upon a time…” – The repetition of this phrase at the beginning of the poem and within the poem emphasizes the traditional opening of fairy tales, creating a sense of timelessness and enchantment.

 

  1. Simile: It is a literary device that compares two unlike or different things. 
  • “Tranquil as dreams.” – Comparing the tranquility of Martha’s eyes to dreams highlights the peaceful and soothing nature of her storytelling.
  • “Like a dream you dream in the night,” – This simile emphasizes the surreal and enchanting quality of Martha’s stories.
  • “And like clouds in the height of the sky,” – This simile conveys the feeling of the listeners being lifted into a different, almost ethereal, state of mind.

 

  1. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
  • “You watch, and the story seems / Told by their beautifulness” – Martha’s eyes are personified as if they are telling the story themselves, indicating how expressive and captivating they are.

 

 

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