List of Poetic Devices used in Maharashtra State Board Class 9 English Poems
Poetic Devices in Maharashtra State Board Class 9 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 Maharashtra State Board Class 9 English Kumarbharati book Poems.
Chapter 1.1 – Life
Literary Devices
1. Alliteration
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words that are close together.
For example,
So dark as sages say;
2. Metaphor
A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”
For example,
“Life’s sunny hours flit by” compares the happy moments of life to sunlight.
“Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,” compares gloom to clouds.
“Still buoyant are her golden wings,” compares hope to a bird with wings.
3. Personification
A figure of speech that gives human qualities or characteristics to non-human things, animals, or abstract ideas.
For example,
“What though death at times steps in,” (gives human qualities to death)
“What though Sorrow seems to win,” (gives human qualities to sorrow)
“Yet Hope again elastic springs,” (gives human qualities to hope)
4. Rhyme Scheme
A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line in a poem. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB.
Related:
Chapter 1.3 – Have you ever seen … ?
Literary Devices
1. Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words creates a musical effect
hammer’s head
deep and dark
birch’s bark
2. Imagery
The poet uses vivid imagery to create mental pictures, such as “a sheet on a river bed” or “the foot of a mountain.”
3. Personification
Human qualities are attributed to inanimate objects, like “the needle ever wink its eye” or “the hands of a clock any left or right.”
4. Rhetorical Questions
The entire poem is composed of rhetorical questions, which are questions asked for effect rather than expecting an answer. They engage the reader and invite contemplation.
Related:
Chapter 2.1 – Invictus
Literary Devices
1. Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. For example,
“I am the master of my fate :
I am the captain of my soul.”
The repeated use of “I am” at the beginning of lines emphasizes the speaker’s self-assurance and determination.
2. Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next.
For example,
“Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.”
The lines often run over to the next line, creating a sense of urgency and momentum.
3. Imagery: The use of vivid language to create mental pictures.
The poem uses vivid imagery to create a powerful mental picture. For example,
“Black as the Pit from pole to pole” paints a dark and ominous image of the speaker’s circumstances.
“Under the bludgeonings of chance” creates a visceral image of the speaker enduring harsh blows.
4. Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” It implies that one thing is essentially another thing. Metaphors can be used to create vivid imagery, evoke emotions, and convey complex ideas in a concise way.
For example,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
The speaker refers to their soul as “unconquerable,” using a metaphor to suggest that their spirit is strong and resilient.
5. Simile: A comparison between two things using “like” or “as.”
For example,
“Black as the Pit from pole to pole”.
The comparison of the night to a “Pit” is a simile that emphasizes the depth and darkness of the speaker’s situation.
Related:
Chapter 2.3 – Somebody’s Mother
Literary Devices
1. Alliteration: The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words.
For example,
None offered a helping hand to her
She placed, and so without hurt or harm
His young heart happy and well content
2. Contrast: The juxtaposition of opposing ideas or images.
The contrast between the joyful children and the lonely, elderly woman is evident.
For example,
Down the street with laughter and shout,
Glad in the freedom of ‘school let out’,
Came happy boys, like a flock of sheep,
Hailing the snow piled white and deep;
Past the woman, so old and gray,
Hastened the children on their way.
3. Imagery: The use of vivid language to create images in the reader’s mind.
For example,
“the streets were white with a recent snow”
“the woman was old and ragged and gray.”
4. Repetition: The repeated use of a word or phrase.
For example,
The phrase “Somebody’s mother” is repeated throughout the poem.
‘She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know,
For all she’s aged, and poor and slow;
And someone, some time, may lend a hand
To help my mother – you understand? –
If ever she’s old and poor and gray,
And her own dear boy so far away.’
‘Somebody’s mother’ bowed low her head
In her home that night, and the prayer she said
Was: ‘God be kind to that noble boy,
Who is somebody’s son and pride and joy.’
5. Simile: A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
For example; Came happy boys, like a flock of sheep,
Related:
Chapter 2.5 – Autumn
Literary Devices
1. Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence across multiple lines of poetry.
Example:
“And on her face (the radiant moon)
Bewitching smiles are shown
She seems a slender maid, who soon
Will be a woman grown.”
The sentence is broken across two lines for a dramatic effect.
2. Imagery: The use of vivid language to create mental pictures.
Example: “With nodding rice-stems in her hair” – This creates a vivid image of autumn adorned with nature’s elements.
3. Metaphor: An indirect comparison between two things without using “like” or “as.” It implies a similarity between the two things being compared, often creating a vivid image or idea in the reader’s mind.
Example: “Her silken robe is white moonlight” – Moonlight is metaphorically described as a silken robe.
4. Personification: Giving human qualities or characteristics to non-human things or abstract ideas.
Example: “The autumn comes, a maiden fair” – Autumn is personified as a young woman.
5. Simile: A comparison between two things using “like” or “as.”
Example: “Birds greet her with their cooing glad / Like a bracelet’s tinkling song” – The sound of birdsong is compared to the jingling of a bracelet.
6. Symbolism: The use of objects or images to represent ideas or concepts.
Example: The “maiden” represents autumn, symbolizing growth, change, and beauty.
Related:
Chapter 3.1 – Silver
Literary Devices
1. Alliteration
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words. It creates a musical effect and emphasizes certain words.
“Slowly, silently”
“silver shoon”
“silver stream”
“silver sleep”
2. Imagery
The creation of mental pictures through the use of vivid language. It appeals to the senses and helps the reader visualize the scene.
Visual imagery: The poem creates a strong visual picture of a moonlit night. The moon is personified as a walker, and everything she touches seems to turn silver.
Sensory imagery: The poem appeals to the senses of sight and touch. The reader can visualize the silver objects and imagine the soft touch of the moonlit landscape.
3. Personification
Giving human qualities or characteristics to non-human objects or animals. It makes the object or animal more relatable and interesting.
Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
The moon is personified as a walker, giving it human qualities and making it more relatable.
4. Rhyme Scheme
The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB.
Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in silver feathered sleep
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws, and silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.
5. Simile
A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
“Couched in his kennel, like a log”
Related:
Chapter 3.3 – The Road Not Taken
Literary Devices
1. Alliteration: Wanted Wear ‘w’ sound is repeating
‘first for’ – ‘f’ sound is repeating
‘though, that’- ‘th’ sound is repeating
2. Anaphora: ‘and’ repeated at the beginning of lines 2, 3 and 4
3. Repetition: ‘Ages’ is repeated. ‘Two roads diverged in a wood’- this sentence is repeated in stanzas 1 and 4.
4. Rhyme Scheme: abaab
5. Symbolism: two roads that represent two or more choices in our life
Related:
Chapter 4.1 – Please Listen !
Literary Devices
1. Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase across a line break in a poem. It creates a sense of flow and rhythm.
The running-on lines create a sense of urgency and flow, mirroring the speaker’s emotional state.
“When I ask you to listen to me
and you feel you have to do something
to solve my problem,
you have failed me,
strange as that may seem.”
2. Imagery: The use of vivid language to create pictures in the reader’s mind, appealing to their senses.
The vivid imagery of “trampling on my feelings” creates a strong emotional impact.
“I shouldn’t feel that way,
you are trampling on my feelings.”
3. Metaphor: A figure of speech that compares two things indirectly, without using “like” or “as.”
The comparison of advice to a cheap commodity highlights the speaker’s frustration with unsolicited advice.
“Advice is cheap; 20 cents will get
you both Dear Abby and Billy Graham
in the same newspaper.”
4. Personification: Giving human qualities or characteristics to non-human things or abstract ideas.
The speaker personifies God as a silent listener, emphasizing the importance of active listening.
“-because God is mute,
and he doesn’t give advice or try
to fix things.”
5. Repetition: The repetition of words, phrases, or sounds in a poem to create emphasis or a musical effect.
The phrase “When I ask you to listen to me” is repeated at the beginning of several stanzas, emphasizing the main point of the poem.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you start giving me advice,
you have not done what I asked.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you begin to tell me why
I shouldn’t feel that way,
you are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you feel you have to do something
to solve my problem,
you have failed me,
strange as that may seem.
Related:
Chapter 4.5 – Tansen
Literary Devices
1. Alliteration:
“burning burst into consuming flame”
2. Imagery:
Vivid descriptions of sound: “His voice rang like the sound of silver bells”
Visual imagery of fire and water: “burning like a pyre,” “water cold”
Sensory experience of divine music: “waves of heavenly rapture roll”
3. Metaphor:
Tansen is metaphorically referred to as a “jewel” in Akbar’s court.
The Ostad’s music is metaphorically described as a powerful force that can heal and transform.
4. Symbolism:
The Ostad’s music symbolizes divine grace and spiritual enlightenment.
The cave in the Himalayas symbolizes a place of spiritual retreat and enlightenment.
Related:
Also See:
- Maharashtra State Board Class 9 English (First Language) Syllabus
- Maharashtra State Board Class 9 English Lesson Explanation, Summary
- Maharashtra State Board Class 9 English Word Meanings