List of Poetic Devices used in WBBSE Class 10 English Poems
Poetic Devices in WBBSE 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 West Bengal Board of Secondary Education Class 10 English Bliss Book Poems.
Poem 2 – Fable
- Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
- “And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig’”- By calling the squirrel a “Little Prig,” the mountain is metaphorically suggesting that the squirrel is behaving in a self-righteous or arrogant manner.
- “To make up a year And a sphere.”- Bun is comparing the combination of things and weather to “make up a year and a sphere” is a metaphorical representation of the complexity and completeness of the world.
- 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.
- “If I cannot carry forests on my back, Neither can you crack a nut.” – The repetition of the phrase “If I” in this line emphasizes the acceptance of differences between the mountain and the squirrel. It reinforces the idea that each creature has its own abilities and limitations.
- Simile: It is a literary device that compares two unlike or different things.
- “A very pretty squirrel track”- This line uses a simile to compare the tracks made by the mountain to a “very pretty squirrel track.”
- 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 poem personifies the mountain and the squirrel by giving them human-like qualities and making them engage in dialogue, allowing them to express thoughts and emotions.
Related:
Fable Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words
Fable Question Answers WBBSE Class 10 English Bliss Book
Poem 4 – My Own True Family
- Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
- “but my heart was a tree.” – This metaphor suggests a comparison of the narrator’s heart to a tree, symbolizing a deep connection to nature.
- Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses.
- “an old woman there—all knobbly stick and rag”- Visual imagery describing the appearance of the old woman.
- Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
- “We are the oak-trees and your own true family.”- Oak-trees are personified as family members of the narrator.
- Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a literary device used to draw emphasis through extreme exaggeration, with examples in film and literature.
- “I came twice awake”- This phrase exaggerates how suddenly and fully awake the narrator became.
- Symbolism: It is the use of an object, person, situation or word to represent something else, like an idea, in literature.
- “the black oak bark will wrinkle over you” – This symbolizes a curse or consequence for not protecting oak trees.
Related:
My Own True Family Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words
My Own True Family Question Answers WBBSE Class 10 English Bliss Book
Poem 6 – Sea Fever
- Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
- “And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;”- The star is compared to a guiding force or direction in the speaker’s life.
- Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses.
- “And a gray mist on the sea’s face, and a gray dawn breaking.”- The imagery of “gray mist” and “gray dawn” creates a visual representation of the sea environment, evoking a sense of atmosphere and setting.
- 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.”
- “And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,”- The repetition of the /w/ sound in “wheel’s,” “wind’s,” and “white” creates a rhythmic effect and emphasizes the action described.
- Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
- “And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,”- The wheel, wind, and sail are personified by attributing human actions (kick, song, shaking) to them, giving them human-like qualities.
- Simile: It is a literary device that compares two unlike or different things.
- “where the wind’s like a whetted knife;”- The sharpness and cutting quality of the wind is compared to a whetted (sharpened) knife, emphasizing how keen and biting the wind feels.
Related:
Sea Fever Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words
Sea Fever Question Answers WBBSE Class 10 English Bliss Book
Poem 8 – The Snail
- Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
- The entire poem uses the snail as a metaphor for self-sufficiency and contentment.
- Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses.
- “To grass, or leaf, or fruit, or wall / The snail sticks close, nor fears to fall”- Visual imagery of the snail on different surfaces
- Parallelism: It refers to using similar words, clauses, phrases, sentence structure, or other grammatical elements to emphasize similar ideas in a sentence.
- “Where’re he dwells, he dwells alone, / Except himself has chatells none”- Parallel structure in describing the snail’s solitary existence
- Simile: It is a literary device that compares two unlike or different things.
- “As if he grew there, house and all, Together” – The snail is compared to something that grows in place.
- Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
- “Within that house secure he hides”
- “He shrinks into his house with much displeasure”
The snail is given human characteristics, such as the ability to “hide” and feel “displeasure.”
Related:
The Snail Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words
The Snail Question Answers WBBSE Class 10 English Bliss Book
Also See:
- WBBSE Class 10 English Summary, Lesson Explanation
- WBBSE Class 10 English (Second Language) Syllabus
- WBBSE Class 10 English Word Meanings