Although not unique to the medium, figurative language and poetry are nearly inseparable. In even the most simplistic poems, authors make heavy use of metaphors, symbols, personification, assonance, alliteration and much more to underscore the themes of their works. Two poems, written by the current Poet Laureate and her predecessor, rely on such devices in order to make their points. An extended metaphor, and numerous symbols in Kay Ryan's "Turtle" illustrates a poignant and very personal theme, while a morbid metaphor tells a timeless tale in "My Son My Executioner" by Donald Hall.
"Turtle" describes the daily struggle of a turtle, which bears the curse of travelling with heavy shell. The "load of pottery" makes the journey to food a difficult, dangerous and cumbersome one (Line 11). Being attached to such luggage makes any "slope" easily capable of "defeat[ing] her modest hopes" (6-7). The result of the repeated, tedious tasks is the development of an incredible virtue: patience. Many interpret the turtle as a symbol for perseverance. Although the struggle to achieve her goal is extraordinarily difficult, the turtle's tenacity pays off in two ways: the turtle achieves her goal of getting food, and acquires patience.
[...] Both “Turtle” and “My Son My Executioner” have multiple interpretations, but every interpretation is made more poignant with the use of figurative language. Works Cited "Current Poet Laureate, Kay Ryan - Poetry (Library of Congress)." Library of Congress Home. Web. 09 Apr. 2010. < http:>. Hall, Donald. “My Son My Executioner.” Literature and the Writing Process. Eds. Elizabeth McMahan, et al. 9th ed. Boston: Longman, 2011. 489. Print. Ryan, Kay. “Turtle.” Literature and the Writing Process. Eds. Elizabeth McMahan, et al. 9th ed. Boston: Longman, 2011. 488. Print. Schneider, Dan. "On Literary Criticism.” Dublin Quarterly. Ed. Peter Anny- Nzekwue. 2001. Pages 47-54. Web. [...]
[...] The use of figurative language in “Turtle” and “My son my executioner” Although not unique to the medium, figurative language and poetry are nearly inseparable. In even the most simplistic poems, authors make heavy use of metaphors, symbols, personification, assonance, alliteration and much more to underscore the themes of their works. Two poems, written by the current Poet Laureate and her predecessor, rely on such devices in order to make their points. An extended metaphor, and numerous symbols in Kay Ryan's “Turtle” illustrates a poignant and very personal theme, while a morbid metaphor tells a timeless tale in “My Son My Executioner” by Donald Hall. [...]
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