FIGURES OF SPEECH l POETIC DEVICES

 FIGURES OF SPEECH / POETIC DEVICES

Class XII English – Quick Revision Notes

Simple Definitions • Important Examples • Examination-Oriented

1. SIMILE (उपमा)

Definition: A comparison between two different things using words such as like, as, or as...as.

Examples:

He fought like a lion.

Her face was ashen like that of a corpse.

He is as brave as a tiger.

 Remember: A simile uses a comparison word.

 

2. METAPHOR (रूपक)

Definition: A direct comparison between two different things without using like or as.

Examples:

1. Life is a journey.

2. She was a lioness on the battlefield.

3. Time is money.

Difference

Simile: Sachin played like a warrior.

Metaphor: Sachin was a warrior on the field.

 

3. PERSONIFICATION (मानवीकरण)

Definition: Giving human qualities or actions to non-human things, animals, or ideas.

Examples:

1. Trees sprinting.

2. The wind whispered through the leaves.

3. The roadside stand pleaded for customers.

 

4. APOSTROPHE (संबोधन)

Definition: Addressing an absent person, imaginary figure, abstract idea, or lifeless object as if it could hear and respond.

Examples:

O Death, where is thy sting?

Hello, little airplane!

Time, be kind to me.

 

5. OXYMORON (विरोधाभास)

Definition: Combining two words or ideas that appear to have opposite meanings.

Examples:

Sweet sorrow

Deafening silence

Greedy good-doers

 

6. IRONY (व्यंग्यात्मक विरोधाभास)

Definition: A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, or between appearance and reality.

Example:
In Aunt Jennifer's Tigers, the tigers appear fearless and free, while Aunt Jennifer remains oppressed.

 

7. REPETITION (पुनरावृत्ति)

Definition: Repeating a word or phrase to create emphasis or a special effect.

Examples:

Smile and smile and smile.

Never, never, never give up.

 

8. ALLITERATION (अनुप्रास)

Definition: Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of nearby words.

Examples:

Wild west wind

Silver silent sea

Prancing proud

 

9. HYPERBOLE (अतिशयोक्ति)

Definition: Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis.

Examples:

I have told you a million times.

He cried a river.

 

10. REFRAIN (दोहराई गई पंक्ति)

Definition: A line or group of lines repeated at regular intervals in a poem.

Example:
In The Tale of Custard the Dragon, the line about the little, realio, trulio pet dragon is repeated.

 

11. IMAGERY (बिम्बात्मक भाषा)

Definition: Descriptive language that creates a mental picture or appeals to our senses.

Examples:

1. Flowery bands

2. Clear rills

3. Cooling covert

4. Bright topaz denizens

Types of imagery:

1. Visual – Sight

2. Auditory – Sound

3. Tactile – Touch

4. Olfactory – Smell

5. Gustatory – Taste

 

 POEM-WISE QUICK REVISION

1. My Mother at Sixty-Six

Poet: Kamala Das

Poetic Device

Example

Simile

Her face ashen like that of a corpse

Simile

As a late winter's moon

Personification

Trees sprinting

Repetition

Smile and smile and smile

 

2. An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum

Poet: Stephen Spender

Poetic Device

Example

Simile

Like rootless weeds

Simile

Like bottle bits

Simile

Shut upon their lives like catacombs

Metaphor

Paper-seeming boy

Metaphor

Rat's eyes

Imagery

The concluding lines create vivid images of freedom and education.

 

3. Keeping Quiet

Poet: Pablo Neruda

Expression

Meaning / Device

Count to twelve

Symbol of a brief pause for reflection

Let's

Repetition; creates unity between the poet and readers

Fishermen in the cold sea

Symbolic imagery of human exploitation of nature

Hurt hands

Symbol of human suffering

Put on clean clothes

Metaphor for purification of mind

Brothers

Symbol of humanity

In the shade

Metaphor for peace and mutual protection

Earth can teach us

Symbol of renewal and new life

Central Idea: The poem encourages peace, self-reflection, and harmony with nature.

 

4. A Thing of Beauty

Poet: John Keats

Metaphor

1. Bower quiet

2. Sweet dreams

3. Flowery band

4. Pall

5. Endless fountain of immortal drink

Alliteration

1. Noble natures

2. Cooling covert

3. Band to bind

Imagery

1. Flowery bands

2. Shady boon

3. Daffodils

4. Clear rills

5. Cooling covert

6. Endless fountain

The poet presents nature's everlasting beauty and its healing power.

 

5. Aunt Jennifer's Tigers

Poet: Adrienne Rich

Alliteration

1. Fingers fluttering

2. Prancing proud

3. Chivalric certainty

4. Weight of wedding band

5. Visual Imagery

6. Bright topaz denizens

7. World of green

Irony

The tigers remain fearless and free, whereas Aunt Jennifer remains oppressed. Her artistic creations enjoy the freedom she herself lacks.

Metaphor

Ringed with ordeals: The wedding ring represents the lifelong burdens and oppression of marriage.

 

FINAL REVISION TABLE

Poetic Device

Simple Meaning

Simile

Comparison using like or as

Metaphor

Direct comparison

Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human things

Apostrophe

Addressing an absent person or object

Oxymoron

Combining opposite words

Irony

Contrast between appearance and reality

Repetition

Repeating words for emphasis

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration

Refrain

Repeated line in a poem

Imagery

Language creating sensory pictures

 

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