Analyse how language features revealed the writer’s purpose in the written text(s)
In the poem “What were they like?” the poet Denise Levertov uses certain language techniques to show the comparison of the culture before and after the bombing to emphasize that not only people are lost in the war but also the culture. Levertov uses antithesis, repetition and personification to illustrate the devastation of the Vietnam War.
Throughout the poem, Levertov reveals the true horrors of the change in culture through the incorporation of horrific imagery in the form of antithesis. The antithesis “Sir, their light hearts turned to stone.” shows the deep comparison between two opposing ideas. The “light hearts” turning to “stone” show a huge difference …show more content…
This portrays a really strong image as buds would represent new life and the growth. In the first stanza where hope is still present, “Did they hold ceremonies to reverence the opening of buds?” is a huge contrast to the second stanza “but after their children were killed there were no more buds.” placed after the bombings. This relates back to Levertov’s purpose of the devastation of the war. There is more than just a poignant mood because there are no more children, but it is conveyed that there cannot be growth. Levertov uses this to illustrate that there is no recovery from the bombings, and nothing will be the same ever again. The structure of this poem also adds to this specific effect as it is written in a question and answer format. Levertov deliberately uses two different narrative point of views to emphasize the cultural side. The first speaker just asks questions, which shows the slightly ignorant and naïve side. “Did they use bone and ivory, jade and silver, for ornament?” It’s more culturally focused which is answered in a very somber mood “A dream ago, perhaps. Ornament is for joy.” which we predict that he had some experience with the war. Repetition and the structure of this poem is used effectively to show the writer’s purpose of the effects of war and how devastating it can
In the poem “What were they like?” the poet Denise Levertov uses certain language techniques to show the comparison of the culture before and after the bombing to emphasize that not only people are lost in the war but also the culture. Levertov uses antithesis, repetition and personification to illustrate the devastation of the Vietnam War.
Throughout the poem, Levertov reveals the true horrors of the change in culture through the incorporation of horrific imagery in the form of antithesis. The antithesis “Sir, their light hearts turned to stone.” shows the deep comparison between two opposing ideas. The “light hearts” turning to “stone” show a huge difference …show more content…
This portrays a really strong image as buds would represent new life and the growth. In the first stanza where hope is still present, “Did they hold ceremonies to reverence the opening of buds?” is a huge contrast to the second stanza “but after their children were killed there were no more buds.” placed after the bombings. This relates back to Levertov’s purpose of the devastation of the war. There is more than just a poignant mood because there are no more children, but it is conveyed that there cannot be growth. Levertov uses this to illustrate that there is no recovery from the bombings, and nothing will be the same ever again. The structure of this poem also adds to this specific effect as it is written in a question and answer format. Levertov deliberately uses two different narrative point of views to emphasize the cultural side. The first speaker just asks questions, which shows the slightly ignorant and naïve side. “Did they use bone and ivory, jade and silver, for ornament?” It’s more culturally focused which is answered in a very somber mood “A dream ago, perhaps. Ornament is for joy.” which we predict that he had some experience with the war. Repetition and the structure of this poem is used effectively to show the writer’s purpose of the effects of war and how devastating it can