Question

In 300 words or less, identify five examples of figurative language from Anne Sexton’s ”Young” and/or Audre Lorde’s “Hanging Fire” and explain what they contribute to the poem(s).

Answer 1

Hi there!

In the poem “Young”, Anne Sexton uses hyperbole when she writes “and probably a million leaves” and “A thousand doors ago”. When she uses the last statement, she uses an extreme exaggeration to explain what time in her life she is talking about.

She uses personification when she writes “clover wrinkling over me”, “the wise stars bedding over me”, and “yellow heat running out”. By using personification, giving human characteristics to non-humans, she writes "the wise stars bedding over me" to explain that she is outside at night, with the stars above her.

When Sexton writes "The boards on the house were smooth and white as wax", she uses imagery, concrete or abstract images that appeal to the scenes, to show that the boards on the house were smooth.

Finally, Sexton uses a simile when she says "white as wax" which means she used to like or as to compare two subjects. With this line, she compares the colour white and wax to help explain further what colour the house was.

Hope it helps!

Answer 2

I chose Young by Anne Sexton.

Hyperbole 
→ A thousand doors ago
→ and probably a million leaves

Personification
→ clover wrinkling over me
→ the wise stars bedding over me
→ yellow heat running out

metaphor: 
→ my mother's window
 a funnel of yellow heat running out,
→ my father's window, half shut,
an eye where sleepers pass,

simile:
→ and the boards of the house
were smooth and white as wax

These figurative language creates beautiful images that makes the poem come alive and help the readers envision what the author is saying.