Figurative Language In Autobiographia

“Autobiographia Literaria” is written from the point of view of the speaker, Frank O’Hara. In the poem, the speaker reflects on how he is a lonely child who hates the things that other kids like. He contrasts his lonesome past with his current situation. The imagery and form of the poem add to the overall mood which shifts from sympathetic to satisfied. The form of the poem emphasizes the shift in the mood. In the first three stanzas of the poem the speaker stretches out individual sentences into whole stanzas. The sentence, “When I was a child / I played by myself in a / corner of the schoolyard / all alone” forms the first stanza of the poem (1-4). This drawn-out style of writing elongates the speaker’s uncomfortable and painful childhood, evoking sympathy from the reader. On the other hand, while describing his life now, the speaker changes his style of writing and instead uses short and concise sentences. The last stanza, “And here I am, the / center of all beauty! / writing these poems! / Imagine!” consists of three short, yet rapturous sentences (13-16). This shortened form of writing leads the reader to believe that the speaker is delighted and slightly astounded with the dramatic turn his life is taking. This results in the reader feeling satisfied with …show more content…
The speaker describes his childhood of misery and sorrow where he “hid behind a / tree and cried out ‘I am / an orphan’” which leads the reader to picture seclusion and dolor (9-12). These vivid lines of imagery prompt intense sympathy from within the reader. While describing his childhood, the speaker creates images of unhappiness; however, while describing his current situation, the speaker creates images of euphoria. In the fourth stanza, the speaker states, “here I am, the / center of all beauty!” which, when contrasted to his gloomy and sorrowful past, creates an image of accomplishment and joy