Title: 4. Figurative Language; Imagery | The Close Reading of Poetry
Headings: 4. Figurative Language; Imagery
4. Figurative Language; Imagery
Content: How does non-literal or figurative language suggest a certain meaning? What mood or feeling is evoked via this figurative, non-literal language? Imagery. WhenÂ figurative language Â (likeÂ metaphor Â orÂ simile) provides a picture that evokes any of the senses, we call thisÂ imagery. â€œShe is the sunâ€ (a simile) contains imagery of light and warmth (the senses of sight and touch).Â
What imageryâ€”pictures or senses that are evoked in wordsâ€”is present in the poem? What imagery, if any, is most striking, frequent, or patterned? What images seem related or connected to each other? What mood or atmosphere is created by the imagery? Which details stand out? Why?