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Adam's Curse : Literary devices

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Adam's Curse is a notable literary work by William Butler Yeats. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Adam's Curse.

Literary devices

Figures of Speech:

  • Metaphor: Writing poetry is compared to hard physical work, like scrubbing floors or breaking stones. This shows how difficult writing can be.
  • Simile: The moon is compared to a worn-out shell using the word “as if.” This shows how tired and old the moon looks.
  • Personification: The moon is described as being “worn,” like a person who is tired. This gives the moon human feelings.
  • Irony: Poets work hard, but people think they are lazy. This is the opposite of what is true, which makes it ironic.

 

Symbols:

  • The Moon: The moon is a symbol of tiredness and emptiness. It shows how the speaker feels love has become worn out over time.
  • Stitching and Unstitching: This symbolizes the hard work and effort needed to write poetry, even though people might not see it.
  • The Hollow Moon: It symbolizes how love was once full and meaningful. It has now become empty and lifeless for the speaker.

Literary Terms: 

  • Allusion: Refers to “Adam’s Curse,” which means that since Adam’s time, people must work hard for everything.

Moral lesson:

  • All beautiful things, like love and art, need hard work and effort.