Ode: Intimations of Immortality : Literary devices
Ode: Intimations of Immortality is a notable literary work by William Wordsworth. 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 Ode: Intimations of Immortality.
Literary devices
Literary Terms
- Ode: An Ode is a long lyrical poem that starts with someone’s agony or praise and ends with consolation.
Figures of Speech
- Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Example: “There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream…” Creates vivid pictures of nature and childhood memories.
- Metaphor: A direct comparison between two things without using like or as. Example: “The glory and the dream” Refers to the beauty and purity of childhood as something divine.
- Simile: A comparison using like or as. Example: “Like a glory from the sky” Compares a child’s soul or presence to something heavenly.
- Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things. Example: “The earth fills her lap with pleasures of her own”. Nature is described as a nurturing, caring figure.
- Symbolism/ Symbols: Use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Example: Rainbow, rose, child, light. All symbolize purity, transience, beauty, and divinity of childhood.
- Rainbow: Symbol of Beauty and joy of childhood — something magical but short-lived.
- Rose: Symbol of Fragile beauty — like childhood, it fades quickly.
- Child: Symbol of Purity, innocence, and closeness to the divine.
- Light/Glory: Symbol of Spiritual connection and divine truth we are born with, but forget as we grow.
- Nature (meadow, grove, stream): Symbol of the natural world that reflects the wonder and freshness of a child’s view.