Choose three examples of figurative language usage - define the term and discuss how it enhances the meaning of the poem. Please note - Do NOT offer discussions about “Rhyme”. Mad Girl's Love Song by sylvia plath

Answer 1

1. "I think I made you up inside my head." - This line is an example of personification, where the speaker is attributing human qualities to something that is not human (in this case, the person the speaker is addressing). By personifying the idea of the person she loves existing only in her imagination, the speaker reveals the intense feelings of loneliness and longing she is experiencing.

2. "The stars go waltzing out in blue and red." - This line is an example of metaphor, where the speaker is comparing the movement of the stars to the graceful, flowing dance of a waltz. This metaphor creates a sense of beauty and elegance in the description of the night sky, adding a layer of whimsy and enchantment to the poem.

3. "I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead." - This line contains hyperbole, an exaggeration used for emphasis. By stating that the world drops dead when the speaker shuts her eyes, the poet conveys the depth of the speaker's despair and isolation. The hyperbolic language heightens the sense of desperation and hopelessness in the poem, creating a powerful emotional impact on the reader.