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Response paper
Language use in poetry is a crucial element through which poets employ to communicate their thematic concerns to their readers. There are different techniques through which poetic devices are employed in addressing these concerns. In this essay, the way language is used in the poems Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden and When Death Comes by Mary Oliver is analyzed.
Firstly, the subject matter in ‘Those Winter Sundays” is on the sacrifices that parents make for their children. Hayden, through his reflection of his father’s love for the family, describes his actions of waking up early to warm the house. The sacrifices usually are not seen, and that is what the poem is all about. The choice of words that determine diction, tone and style are well chosen. It presents sadness and regrets since they work in bringing a concern that is reflecting and sympathizing (Line 1). The intended audience in this poem is to all children who do not always appreciate and comprehend the love of their parents. The poem thus infers on the appreciation that the parents do not receive after their arduous role.
Secondly, in the poem “When death comes.” Mary Oliver addresses the necessity that people should plan to handle time, and upon death, no individual needs to be regretful. She uses light and dark symbols, similes as well as metaphors in her poem. In presenting a cottage with pleasant connotations, she conjures stability, warmth and coziness; therefore, a sharp diction, also gives the tone of hope (Line 10). The hopeful tone presents an ironic feature too. The writer here uses a distinct style as well as rhythm to show the figurative language in addressing death. The persona in the poem who is a voice and referred to as “I,” speaks to the general public in the importance of living a full productive life before one starts fearing on death (Line 28). The two poems, therefore, through the use of language, wholly present a thought invoking message to their readers.
Works Cited
Hayden, Robert. “Those Winter Sundays.” An Introduction to Poetry 13 (1962).
Oliver, Mary. “When death comes.” New and selected poems 1 (1992).