The imagery and use of the five senses in "Eleven" helps to convey the child's sense of inner joy and freedom. The line "Happy as though he had no name" suggests that the child is experiencing a deep sense of contentment and bliss, as if he is free from the constraints and expectations associated with his identity and societal labels. This imagery allows the reader to understand the significance of the child's liberation from societal norms.
The imagery of comparing the child's happiness to that of a leaf, a stem, and a root growing helps to reinforce the idea of natural growth and organic joy. By associating the child's happiness with elements of nature, the reader is able to visualize the child as someone who is flourishing and radiating joy, just like the natural world around them. This imagery enhances the significance of the last three lines by illustrating the child's identification with nature and their sense of vitality.
Overall, the use of imagery and the five senses in the poem "Eleven" enhances the understanding of the last three lines by portraying the child as someone who is unburdened by societal expectations, experiencing a pure and natural form of happiness. This imagery allows the reader to connect the various sensory descriptions throughout the poem and appreciate the child's self-identification as a leaf, a stem, and a root growing - all symbols of growth, resilience, and simplicity.
Happy as though he had no name, as though
He had been no one: like a leaf, a stem,
Like a root growing.
In at least three sentences, explain how imagery & use of the five senses in "Eleven" help you to understand the significance of the last three lines.
HINT: Try to make sense of the last three lines? What does the child classify himself as? Then, try to work backwards and connect the various uses of imagery in the previous lines. How does imagery enhance these lines?
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