Which Phrases Are Examples Of Figurative Language That Anne Bradstreet Uses To Communicate Her Themes? “Ill-Form’d Offspring” And “Feeble Brain” “Snatched From Thence” And “Less Wise Than True” “Errors Were Not Lessened” And “All May Judg” (2023)

FAQs

What does thou ill formed offspring of my feeble brain mean? ›

The first two lines imply that Bradstreet feels her book (the "offspring") is "ill-formed" and the product of a "feeble mind," which indicates she did not think her writing was strong and did not want it seen by anyone else.

In the first line of the poem, Bradstreet uses a metaphor in the phrase, “ill-form'd offspring”. Here, the poet refers to her recently written book. It is also a personification. The poet uses irony in the following line, “Till snatched from thence by friends, less wise than true”.

Bradstreet uses figurative language when she describes her "goods" which then laid "in the dust". She is saddened by her loss of her favorite items, and how they laid in the ashes of her burnt house. However, she also blesses God for taking the items away from her.

She uses figurative language through personification, repetition metaphors and tone. Her loving tribute to her husband is in a sincere, effortless, and passionate way. This poem can be expound in many different ways and levels.

Stating that she could not stop for death means that the speaker didn't have a choice about when she was to die. We've all probably heard something like this before. Even if not, Dickinson reminds us that it's not really up to us when we die.

The poem's speaker, presumably Bradstreet, personifies her book of poetry, addressing it as if it were her own child, calling it the 'offspring' of her brain.

The author creates an extended metaphor of a “… house on high erect/ Frameed by that mighty Architect,” (lines 43-44) which represents the home in heaven created by God. It is in this way Bradstreet is saying that though she is in despair over her loss, she knows that it is all in God's predestined plan.

Figurative language in this poem includes the use of extended metaphor. Bradstreet speaks of another house. The Architect (or designer/builder) is God. This house is better than her earthly home because it is furnished with spiritual glory.

Figurative language is used to amplify or exaggerate the writing. In other words, writers use words to create a non-literal meaning to make n important point. It makes writing more impactful. “After spending a day working in the garage, his face was as black as charcoal.”

Bradstreet uses personification to emphasize that her book has many flaws, but that she loves it nonetheless. In the poem, the speaker refers to herself as the mother and the book as her child. It suggests that writers have the strongest possible bond between themselves and their creative works.

How does Bradstreet's use of figurative language in these lines affect their meaning? ›

How does Bradstreet's use of figurative language in these lines affect their meaning? The lines use personification to further suggest that the book is like the author's child, which she does her best to care for and make perfect.

Figurative language is a type of communication that does not use a word's strict or realistic meaning. Common in comparisons and exaggerations, figurative language is usually used to add creative flourish to written or spoken language or explain a complicated idea.

Major Themes, Historical Perspectives, and Personal Issues

Bradstreet wrote on culture and nature, on spirituality and theology, on the tension between faith and doubt, on family, on death, on history.

Hyperboles use exaggerations. Example: Her smile was a mile wide.

Simile Examples:

“She sings like an angel.” – This simile compares the quality of a person's singing to that of an angel, which creates a sense of beauty and grace.

It shows that those in the poor class are still living a miserable life and that the Uhuru (Independence) promises have no value to them. The mother is so pessimistic and hopeless that she may not be able to live longer with her son because they have no food.

Milton speaks passionately throughout this piece about his newfound disability. He knows he's going blind and worries endlessly about what that means for his future. He uses figurative language throughout the poem to express the fear that he'll no longer be able to serve God with his writings.

An Overview of the Poem 'On His Blindness'

The speaker laments that because he cannot actively serve God as he sees others doing, his potential is left unutilized and dissatisfied. He doubts whether God values patience and understanding more than He does rigorous, immediate service from His disciples.

Indeed, the speaker argues in stanza 3, they will not find better "hemispheres" out in the world than each others' eyes. This means that, for the speaker, giving up the outside world is not a sacrifice. Indeed, the speaker finds a better world in bed with this lover.