Figurative Language In O Me ! O Life By Robert Burns

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"O Me! O Life" by Walt Whitman, and "A Red, Red Rose" by Robert Burns, are both very well known and well-written poems. Both of these poems have similarities and differences, including structure, tone, and figurative language. Very often, poetry's themes revolve around humanity and love. Such include Whitman's and Burn's poems. To begin with, the structure of "O Me! O Life" is dramatically different from that of "A Red, Red Rose". Walt Whitman wrote in free verse and used a significant gap between two stanzas in the poem. The empty space serves many purposes. The reader is encouraged to take a break before reading the answer, which allows for contemplation as well as suspense. The pause also creates a gentle flow of the poem, and it gives …show more content…
Repetition and symbolism are prevalent in each of the works. The titles of both poems are repetitively within the poems. Another recurred phrase in Burns' poem is, " O my Luve". This line shows the reader the sentiments of the author and his unconditional, sincere love. Moreover, symbolism is significant in each of the pieces. The line, "Vainly crave the light" (line 5, Whitman) from Walt Whitman's "O Me! O Life!" is an instance of symbolism. The light denotes the notion of all the things that are better. Additionally, the simile, "O my Luve is like a red, red rose " (line 1, Burns) shows the rose as a representative for the poet's love. However, each of the works has differing examples of figurative language as well. For example, "While the sands o' life shall run" (line 12, Burns) is an excellent instance of personification, and "O Me! O Life!" does not have this poetic device. Additionally, the verse, "the powerful play goes on" is a metaphor for life, and there is no metaphor within Burn's poem. In conclusion, figurative

language is an essential element of poetry, and these two poems use it extraordinarily well, and in similar methods. In final analysis, the poems "O Me! O Life!", and "A Red, Red Rose" have similarities and differences. While the structure, tone and figurative language of each work are unparalleled at times, they also all contribute multiple common threads between the two. The distinction of the poems is what enables them to stand out, and thanks to Whitman and Burns, two incredible

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