Literary Devices and Vocabulary

Front

What type of figurative language/speech is:

"dart around like bubbles of boiling water"

Back

Simile

Front

Identify the following Figurative speech:

"the dirt screams"

Back

Personification

Front

Explain the following Figure of Speech:

"Dirt screams"

Back

This personification uses the powerful verb "scream" to describe the dirt on the boy's skin, emphasizing its visibility and the boy's unhygienic state. It also suggests a cry for help, highlighting the boy's desperate situation and the lack of care he receives.

Front

Explain how effective the poet uses the phrase:

"Throbbing footsteps"

Back

This phrase combines the auditory sensation of footsteps with the physical sensation of throbbing, suggesting the boy's headache and the way the passing people seem to weigh him down. The sound of the footsteps is also a synecdoche for the people passing by, symbolizing their indifference and lack of engagement with the boy's plight.

Front

How does the poet uses the word "Lullaby" in the poem?

Back

The poem ironically uses the word "lullaby" to describe the sounds of the pond and the traffic surrounding the boy. Typically associated with comfort and care, these sounds are actually harsh and unpleasant, highlighting the boy's lack of genuine nurturing and support.