Analysis Of Neruda's Ode To The Table

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1. In this ode, Neruda includes similes. For example, “it’s as soft as woman’s hip” (Neruda 17). A simile is a comparison using the words “like” or “as”. Similes create imagery, so that the reader can better understand an object or a character. In this situation, Neruda is comparing an unidentified object he’s touching to the softness of a woman’s hip. Another poetic device he uses in this ode is repetition. For instance, “I love cups, rings, and bowls…I love all things…I love all things” (Neruda 11, 15). Repetition is when a word or phrase is repeated for an effect. In this case it is used to express his immense love of all things.
2. The bigger meaning behind all the materialistic things in the poem represents Neruda’s gratitude towards all the things in his life, including the man-made things as well all the living people. As an example, “Mankind has built oh so many perfect things…Not only did they touch me, or my hand touch them: they were so
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Neruda’s “Ode to the table” incorporates metaphors. Specifically, when he writes, “The world is a table” (Neruda 19). A metaphor is direct comparison for two dissimilar things. Like similes, metaphors help the reader comprehend what is being discussed. Neruda uses this metaphor to explain to the reader that a table can represent the world in some ways. He then continues to support this claim by explaining how the table can represent the world. In addition, another poetic device used in this ode is personification. In particular, Neruda expresses, “this table sitting in the dark… And there is a faraway table, a humble table,” (Neruda 21). Personification is when human characteristics are given to inanimate objects. Personification is used to help readers connect with the object, and make visualizations more vivid. In this case, Neruda says that there is a table which is consumed by the darkness, but there is another table sitting in the corner that is not drawn into the darkness, it’s still pure and

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