Poetic Devices in JKBOSE English Class 10 English Poems

List of Poetic Devices used in JKBOSE Class 10 English Poems from Tulip Book

Poetic Devices in JKBOSE Class 10 English Poems – A “poetic device” refers to anything a poet uses to enhance the literal meaning of their poem. Poetic devices are an essential part of English poetry. It is therefore a tool that significantly enhances a poem’s substance, heightens its feel, or provides the essential rhythm. Let’s have a look at the poetic devices which have been used in Jammu and Kashmir Board of Secondary Education Class 10 English Tulip book Poems.

Poem 1 – Prayer

Literary Devices

1. Apostrophe: An apostrophe is a figure of speech where a speaker addresses someone or something that is not present or cannot respond.
The entire poem is an example of apostrophe, where the poet addresses the Lord directly as if He were present, appealing to Him for guidance and support.
“Lord! You are my hope and trust, lead me to the way of truth;”

2. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
“You brought me to bloom with the earliest vernal breeze;”- The poet compares his growth or spiritual awakening to a flower blooming in the spring breeze.
“Let me sing the songs which infuse life into the dead.”- This metaphor suggests that the poet’s desired songs are so powerful that they can revitalize those who are spiritually or emotionally ‘dead.’

3. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
“Let not the burning heat of summer wither me gray.”- The “burning heat of summer” is personified as if it has the power to age or wither the poet.

4. Repetition: Repetition is a literary device in which a word or phrase is used multiple times to create rhythm or emphasize a word or phrase.
The word “Let me” is repeated in several lines, especially in the second extract, to emphasize the poet’s urgent requests.

5. Simile: It is a literary device that compares two unlike or different things.
“Like dew, how long shall I wait for the first flash of the sun?”- Here, the poet compares his waiting for enlightenment to dew waiting for the sun.

Poem 2 – Miracles

Literary Devices

1. Anaphora: The repetition of a word at the start of consecutive lines to emphasis on similarity.
Every cubic inch of space is a miracle,
Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same.
Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.

Or stand under trees in the woods,
Or talk by day with anyone I love,
Or sit at table at dinner with the rest,
Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car,

2. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses.
“The exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring.”
Whitman uses strong visual imagery to evoke a sense of wonder and beauty, painting a detailed picture of the moon.

3. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
“Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.”- Here, Whitman compares the interior world (perhaps both physical and emotional) to a space filled with miracles, suggesting a profound connection.

4. Parallelism: Parallelism is a literary device in which parts of the sentence are grammatically the same, or are similar in construction.
“Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan, Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky.” – Whitman uses parallel structures to emphasize the different ways he encounters miracles in daily life.

5. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
“The fishes that swim, the rocks, the motion of the waves, the ships with men in them.”- Whitman personifies natural elements, giving the “motion of the waves” an almost human-like quality.

6. Repetition: Repetition is a literary device in which a word or phrase is used multiple times to create rhythm or emphasize a word or phrase.
“Every cubic inch of space is a miracle, Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same.”- Whitman repeatedly uses the word “miracle” throughout the poem, reinforcing the idea that everything in life is miraculous.

Poem 3 – When You Are Old

Literary Devices

1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses.
The poem has a lot of vivid imagery, such as the description of the woman as “old and grey and full of sleep,” sitting “beside the glowing bars” of a fire. These images create a picture of old age, warmth, and reflection.

2. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
“Full of sleep”- This metaphor compares old age and weariness to being “full of sleep,” suggesting the slow, tired state of life in old age.
“Pilgrim soul”- The metaphor of a “pilgrim soul” symbolizes the woman’s inner self, which is on a journey through life, contrasting with her external beauty.

3. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
“How Love fled” and “Paced upon the mountains” and “Hid his face amid a crowd of stars”- Love is personified as a figure that can flee, walk on mountains, and hide among stars, emphasizing its elusive and distant nature by the end of the poem.

4. Repetition: Repetition is a literary device in which a word or phrase is used multiple times to create rhythm or emphasize a word or phrase.
The word “loved” is repeated several times to emphasize the difference between those who loved the woman for her external beauty and the one man (the poet) who loved her for her inner self.

5. Symbolism: It is a literary device wherein words and images are used to symbolize specific concepts, people, objects, or events
The “crowd of stars” symbolizes the distance and fading nature of love, which has moved beyond reach, becoming part of something vast and unattainable.
The fire symbolizes warmth and comfort, but also the passage of time and the eventual fading of life.

Poem 4 – Snowdrop

Literary Devices

1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses.
“her pale head heavy as metal”
“moulded in brass”
Vivid descriptions like “her pale head heavy as metal” and “moulded in brass” create strong mental images that evoke the harshness and coldness of winter.

2. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
“Now is the globe shrunk tight” – The globe (world) is metaphorically described as shrinking due to the harshness of winter, implying how winter restricts life and activity.

3. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
“Her pale head heavy as metal”- The snowdrop flower is personified as “pursuing her ends” and having a “pale head,” attributing human-like qualities of determination and resilience to the flower.

4. Simile: It is a literary device that compares two unlike or different things.
“Weasel and crow, as if moulded in brass” – The weasel and crow are compared to being moulded in brass, using “as if” to liken their stiffness in winter to statues cast from metal.

5. Symbolism: It is a figure of speech in which a person, situation, word, or object is used to represent another thing
The snowdrop flower symbolizes endurance and survival in harsh conditions, standing for resilience and the ability to bloom in adversity.

Related:

Poem 5 – My Mother at Sixty-six

Literary Devices

1. Assonance: Here we see the use of vowel sound that is ‘o’. (To Cochin last Friday morning)
Use of vowel sound ‘o’, ’a’, ‘e’ (doze, open-mouthed, her face ashen like that
of a corpse)

2. Consonance: use of the sound ‘s’ and ‘t’

3. Imagery: when the poet say trees sprinting, merry children spilling

4. Repetition: Repeated use of ‘looked’ , use of ‘smile’

5. Rhyme scheme – The poem does not follow any rhyme or rhythm. It has been written in free verse.

6. Simile: The colour of the mother’s face has been compared to that of a corpse – ashen. use of ‘like’ (her face ashen like that of a corpse)
Mother’s face is compared to the late winter’s moon – both are dull and lifeless. use of ‘as’ (as a late winter’s moon).

Poem 6 – An Evening Wet with Rain

Literary Devices

1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses.
Vivid descriptions of the environment, such as “Windows, doors, awnings of the house are wet” and “the collar of my coat is also wet with drops of rain,” create strong visual images.

2. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
“The evening of troubles” – This metaphor compares troubles to an evening, emphasizing their prevalent presence in the poet’s life.
“The lap of night” – This metaphor compares night to a nurturing figure, suggesting safety and comfort.

3. Oxymoron: It is a literary device that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings.
“Evening of troubles”- The idea of evening, often associated with calm, is associated with the concept of troubles, highlighting the poet’s internal conflict.

4. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
The evening is described as preparing to “go to sleep,” suggesting it has human-like qualities.
Clouds are depicted as shedding tears, giving them human emotions.

5. Symbolism: It is a literary device wherein words and images are used to symbolize specific concepts, people, objects, or events
The rain symbolizes the poet’s emotions, such as sadness, loneliness, and longing.
The earthen lamp in the inn represents hope and comfort in the middle of darkness.

Poem 7 – The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Literary Devices

1. Alliteration: “coward, and she called him Custard” – “c” sound
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears “b” sound is repeated
beard was black “b”, he held his “h”
gulped some grog “g”
glee did gyrate “g”

2. Allusion: reference to any person or place (Percival)

3. Anaphora: repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines. (And a little ….And a realio)
repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines (And the little grey…And the little yellow)

4. Assonance: use of vowel sound ‘o’ (no one mourned for), use of vowel sound ‘I’ (ink and blink in glee did), use of vowel sound ‘a’ (that ate the pirate)
use of vowel sound ‘a’ (Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears)

5. Consonance: use of consonant sound ‘s’ (Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound)

6. Imagery: An image is created about the appearance of the pirate.
They have shown the reaction and actions made by the pirate on seeing the dragon.
The attack by the dragon is expressed in a way to make an image in our minds.

7. Onomatopoeia: usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (giggled, weeck)
usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (Mustard growled, Meowch, cried ink)
usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (clatter, clank, jangling)

8. Oxymoron: use of two words with opposite meanings ‘ “pet dragon”

9. Personification: Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival

10. Poetic license: window is written as ‘winda’ to create rhyme.
use of the word mousehold to rhyme with household
realio, trulio for real, true. The spellings have been changed to create a musical effect

11. Refrain: Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio)

12. Repetition: stanza has been repeated
help help
Custard cried for a nice safe cage
use of the word ‘tickled him’
use of the word ‘little’

13. Rhyme scheme: aabb (house-mouse, wagon-dragon)
aabb (ink-blink, mustard-custard)
aabb (bears-stairs, rage-cage)
aabb (unmerciful-Percival, wagon-dragon)
aabb (house-mouse, rage-cage)
aabb (sound-around, Belinda-winda)
aabb (right- bright, wood- good)
aabb (help-yelp, household – mousehold)
aabb (engine-dungeon, squirm-worm)
aabb (dragon-flagon, hit-bit)
aabb (him-victim, gyrate-pirate)
aabb (mustard-flustered, blink-ink, agree-me)

14. Simile: dog compared to mustard “And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard”
Belinda’s bravery is compared to that of a barrel full of bears (as a barrel full of bears), Mustard’s bravery is compared to that of an angry tiger (Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage)
sound of dragon is compared with sound of engine (snorting like an engine), Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon, dragon’s attack on pirate is compared to robin bird (like a robin at a worm)

15. Transferred epithet: terrified yelp

Poem 8 – Last Lesson of the Afternoon

Literary Devices

1. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a literary device used to draw emphasis through extreme exaggeration, with examples in film and literature.
“A full threescore”- Sixty assignments are exaggerated to emphasize the overwhelming nature of the teacher’s workload.

2. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature.
“Pack of unruly hounds”– The students are compared to unruly hounds, symbolizing their resistance and lack of discipline in learning.
“Quarry of knowledge”- Knowledge is likened to a quarry, suggesting that learning is something to be pursued or hunted.
“Last dear fuel of life”– The teacher’s energy and passion for teaching are compared to fuel, highlighting how depleted he feels.
“Dross of indifference”- The students’ apathy is compared to “dross,” or worthless residue, suggesting it is unworthy of the teacher’s energy.
“Abyss”- The teacher’s and students’ efforts are compared to something falling into an “abyss,” implying a void where nothing meaningful results.

3. Repetition: It is a literary device in which a word or phrase is used multiple times to create rhythm or emphasize a word or phrase.
“I do not, and will not, they won’t and they don’t and that’s all!”: The repetition of “not” and “won’t” emphasizes the teacher’s sense of resignation and his decision to stop trying.

4. Personification: Personification is the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc., as in art and literature.
“Endure the brunt / Of the books that lie out on the desks”- The books are described as if they actively create a burden or attack, emphasizing the weight of the work and monotony for the teacher.

5. Rhetorical Question: A rhetorical question is a figure of speech which comes in the form of a question that makes a point instead of seeking an answer.
“What is the point of their teaching of mine, and of this / Learning of theirs?”: The teacher questions the purpose of his efforts and the students’ learning, reflecting his deep frustration.
“What does it matter to me, if they can write / A description of a dog, or if they can’t?”: He questions the relevance of minor tasks, underscoring his growing disillusionment.

Also See:

Poetic Devices in JKBOSE English Class 10 English Poems

List of Poetic Devices used in JKBOSE Class 10 English Poems from Tulip Book

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