Mary Oliver’s poem “The Black Walnut Tree” portrays a beatiful comparison between a Black Walnut tree and our lives struggles. She cleverly uses metaphor to show how life’s struggles are just like that of a tree, as well as using logos and ethos to persuade the audience that the tree is indeed like family.
Subliminal metaphor is one figurative language tool that is used in this poem. Oliver never outright states that the old tree in the families backyard is like life, but the symbolism is fairly clear. She uses excuses in this poem, such as ,”...Roots in the cellar drain...” and “...The leaves are getting heavier...”, both of which are things that are similar to that of human nature. HUman nature, in this case, looks for excuses and reasons
Subliminal metaphor is one figurative language tool that is used in this poem. Oliver never outright states that the old tree in the families backyard is like life, but the symbolism is fairly clear. She uses excuses in this poem, such as ,”...Roots in the cellar drain...” and “...The leaves are getting heavier...”, both of which are things that are similar to that of human nature. HUman nature, in this case, looks for excuses and reasons