AlliterationDefinition:Alliteration is a literary device where words are used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the

same sound group. Whether it is the consonant sound or a specific vowel group, the alliteration involves creating a repetition of similar sounds in
the sentence. Alliterations are also created when the words all begin with the same letter. Alliterations are used to add character to the writing and
often add an element of ‘fun’ to the piece.
Example:The Wicked Witch of the West went her own way. The ‘W’ sound is highlighted and repeated throughout the sentence.

AllusionDefinition:An allusion is a figure of speech whereby the author refers to a subject matter such as a place, event, or literary
work by way of a passing reference. It is up to the reader to make a connection to the subject being mentioned.
Example:It’s no wonder everyone refers to Mary as another Mother Teresa in the making; she loves to help and care after people everywhere,
from the streets to her own friends.

In the example the author uses the mention of Mother Teresa to indicate the sort of qualities that Mary has.

AssonanceDefinition:Assonance refers to repetition of sounds produced by vowels within a sentence or phrase. In this regard
assonance can be understood to be a kind of alliteration. What sets it apart from alliterations is that it is the repetition of only vowel
sounds. Assonance is the opposite of consonance, which implies repetitive usage of consonant sounds.
Example:“A long song”. (Where the ‘o’ sound is repeated in the last two words of the sentence)

ImageryDefinition:In literature, one of the strongest devices is imagery wherein the author uses words and phrases to create “mental
images” for the reader. Imagery helps the reader to visualize more realistically the author’s writings. The usage of metaphors, allusions,
descriptive words and similes amongst other literary forms in order to “tickle” and awaken the readers’ sensory perceptions is referred
to as imagery. Imagery is not limited to only visual sensations, but also refers to igniting kinesthetic, olfactory, tactile, gustatory, thermal
and auditory sensations as well.
Example:The gushing brook stole its way down the lush green mountains, dotted with tiny flowers in a riot of colors and trees coming alive with
gaily chirping birds.

IronyDefinition:The use of irony in literature refers to playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or
word is actually different from the literal meaning. Often irony is used to suggest the stark contrast of the literal meaning being put
forth. The deeper, real layer of significance is revealed not by the words themselves but the situation and the context in which they are
placed.
Example:Writing a sentence such as, “Oh! What fine luck I have!”. The sentence on the surface conveys that the speaker is happy with their luck
but actually what they mean is that they are extremely unhappy and dissatisfied with their (bad) luck.

MetaphorDefinition:Metaphors are one of the most extensively used literary devices. A metaphor refers to a meaning or identity
ascribed to one subject by way of another. In a metaphor, one subject is implied to be another so as to draw a comparison between their
similarities and shared traits.
The first subject, which is the focus of the sentences is usually compared to the second subject, which is used to convey a degree of meaning that
is used to characterize the first. The purpose of using a metaphor is to take an identity or concept that we understand clearly (second subject) and
use it to better understand the lesser known element (the first subject).

Example:“Henry was a lion on the battlefield”. This sentence suggests that Henry fought so valiantly and bravely that he embodied all the
personality traits we attribute to the ferocious animal. This sentence implies immediately that Henry was courageous and fearless, much like the
King of the Jungle.

Onomatopoeia
Definition:The term ‘onomatopoeia’ refers to words whose very sound is very close to the sound they are meant to depict. In other words, it
refers to sound words whose pronunciation to the actual sound they represent.

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Example:Words such as grunt, huff, buzz and snap are words whose pronunciation sounds very similar to the actual sounds these words
represent. In literature such words are useful in creating a stronger mental image. For instance, sentences such as “the whispering of the forest
trees” or “the hum of a thousand bees” or “the click of the door in the nighttime” create vivid mental images.

OxymoronDefinition:Oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows the author to use contradictory, contrasting concepts
placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner. An oxymoron is an
interesting literary device because it helps to perceive a deeper level of truth and explore different layers of semantics while writing.
Example:Sometimes we cherish things of little value.
He possessed a cold fire in his eyes.

PersonificationDefinition:Personification is one of the most commonly used and recognized literary devices. It refers to the
practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena and animals.
Example:“The raging wind” “The wise owl” “The warm and comforting fire”

SimileDefinition:Similes are one of the most commonly used literary devices; referring to the practice of drawing parallels or
comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts. By using similes a greater degree of
meaning and understanding is attached to an otherwise simple sentence. The reader is able to better understand the sentiment the
author wishes to convey. Similes are marked by the use of the words ‘as’ or ‘such as’ or ‘like’.
Example:He is like a mouse in front of the teacher.

SymbolDefinition:A symbol is literary device that contains several layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight, and is
representative of several other aspects, concepts or traits than those that are visible in the literal translation alone. Symbol is using an
object or action that means something more than its literal meaning.
Example:The phrase “a new dawn” does not talk only about the actual beginning of a new day but also signifies a new start, a fresh chance to
begin and the end of a previous tiring time.

Anaphora (rhetoric)
In rhetoric, an anaphora (Greek: ἀναφορά, "carrying back") is a rhetorical device that consists of repeating a sequence of words at the
beginnings of neighboring clauses, thereby lending them emphasis
A transferred epithet is a little known—but often used—figure of speech where a modifier (usually an adjective)
qualifies a noun other than the person or thing it is actually describing. In other words, the modifier or epithet
is transferred from the noun it is meant to describe to another noun in the sentence.

This question is based on the poem 'Rain on the Roof' by Coates Kinney.

1. AlliterationExamples :a) In the phrase ‘lie listening’,’ the ‘l’ sound is being repeated.b) In the phrase ‘starry spheres,’ the ‘s’ sound is being

repeated.c) In the phrase ‘humid hover’,’ the ‘h’ sound is being repeated.d) In the phrase ‘press pillow’,’ the ‘p’ sound is being

repeated.Alliteration is defined as a poetic device in which the consonant sounds are repeated in words that appear together.

2. PersonificationExamples : a) 'melancholy darkness'b) 'And a thousand recollections Weave their air-threads into woof,'Personification is

defined as a poetic device that involves using a human quality to describe a non-living thing or object.

3. Transferred EpithetExamples :a) 'melancholy darkness'b) 'dreamy fancies'Transferred epithet is defined as a poetic device in which an

adjective is added before the name of a person or object in order to bestow positive or negative qualities to that object.

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4. OnomatopoeiaExamples :a) 'patter'b) 'tinkle'

Onomatopoeia is defined as a poetic device in which certain words are used to denote real life sounds.

The road not taken

1. Metaphor: There are many metaphors in the poem like road, fork in the road and yellowwoods.
The road in the poem is the metaphor of life, while the fork on the road metaphorically represents
the choices we make to determine the course of our lives. Similarly, yellow woods are the
metaphor of making decisions during the hard times of a person’s life. These metaphors used in
this poem emphasize the importance of different decisions we make in different situations and their
impacts on our lives.
2. Imagery: Imagery is used to make the readers feel things through their five senses. The poet has
used images of the sense of sights such as leaves, yellowwoods and These images help readers
to actually perceive things they are reading. The image of the road helps readers to visualize the
road providing a navigation route to the traveler.
3. Simile: A simile is a device used to compare things with familiar things to let the readers know it
easily. There is one simile used in the second stanza such as “as just as fair”. It shows how the
poet has linked the road less taken to the easy way through life.
4. Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds such as the sound of /a/ and /o/ in quick
succession in “though as far that the passing” and in “Somewhere ages and ages hence.”
5. Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds such as /d/ in “two roads
diverging in a yellow wood” and /t/ sound in “though as far as the passing there.”
6. Personification: Robert Frost has personified road in the third line of the second stanza. Here, it is
stated “Because it was grassy and wanted wear” as if the road is human, and that it wants to wear
and tear.
7. Parallelism: Parallelism is the use of a source of words, phrases or sentences that have similar
grammatical forms. Frost has used Parallelism in the poem such as;

“And sorry I could not travel both”

“And be only one traveler long I stood”

“And looked down once as far as I could”

Concluding the literary analysis, it can be argued that Robert Frost has beautifully used various literary
devices to make the poem display multiplicity of interpretation which has gained the poem much
deserved popularity.

1. Metaphor - The whole poem is an extended metaphor and the road acts as a metaphor for life.
2. Alliteration - “wanted wear”
3. Personification - The fork in the woods refers to the life decisions one has to make.
4. Repetition - “Somewhere ages and ages hence”
5. Consonance and assonance - “And that has made all the difference.” “Yet knowing how way leads on to way”

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WIND
The dominant figure of speech in this poem is “personification” (attributing human traits or features to nonhuman things).

In these lines:

Don’t break the shutters of the windows.

Don’t scatter the papers.
Don’t throw down the books on the shelf.
the poet is using a figure of speech called ANAPHORA, which is the repetition of a word or words at the beginning of adjacent
sentences or poetic lines.
The most common figure of speech in the poem is ‘Anaphore’ which means repeating of certain words. The repetition of
the word ‘don’t’ in the first three lines of the poem is an example of Anaphore. Also, the entire poem is a metaphor as it
ends on a note of application to humanity to stand against all ravages, natural or man-made.

3. Identify the figures of speech given below:

a. Wind, come softly.
Apostrophe –The poet directly addresses the wind which is an inanimate object to blow softly.
b. Don’t break the shutters of the windows.
Don’t scatter the papers.
Don’t throw down the books on the shelf.
Anaphora - The repetition of the same word ‘Don’t’ is used at the beginning of successive verses.
c. There look what you did - you threw them all down
Personification – Wind is endowed with human qualities of throwing/handling things.
d. There look what you did - you threw them all down.
You tore the pages of the books.
You brought rain again.
You’re very clever at poking fun at weaklings
Anaphora - The repetition of the same word ‘You’ is used at the
beginning of successive verses.
e. You’re very clever at poking fun at weaklings
Personification – Wind is endowed with human qualities of poking
fun.
f. Frail crumbling houses, crumbling doors, crumbling rafters, crumbling
wood, crumbling bodies, crumbling lives, crumbling hearts -
Repetition – The word ‘crumbling’ is repeated to add emphasis as
well as for poetic effect.
g. The wind god winnows and crushes them all.
Personification – Wind god is endowed with human qualities of
winnowing and crushing things.
h. He makes strong fires roar and flourish.
Onomatopoeia – The word ‘roar’ is used to describe the noise of fire.
Personification – Wind is endowed with human qualities of making
strong fires roar and flourish.