Match each excerpt from “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman …

English Questions

Match each excerpt from song of myself by Walt Whitman to the poetic devices used

Short Answer

The answer explains the use of alliteration, assonance, rhyme, and parallelism in Whitman’s poetry. Alliteration enhances musical quality, assonance contributes to rhythm, rhyme provides closure, and parallelism strengthens structure and theme.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Identify Alliteration

In poetry, alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. In Whitman’s excerpt, you can see this with the sounds ‘g’ and ‘p’ in phrases like ‘grass of graves’ and ‘perpetual transfers’. This device enhances the musical quality of the poem, making it more engaging to read.

Step 2: Recognize Assonance

Assonance involves the repetition of vowel sounds within words, contributing to a poem’s rhythm and emotional impact. The line “No doubt I have died myself ten thousand times before” exemplifies this, as the vowel sound ‘o’ appears repeatedly. This technique helps create a fluid and harmonious reading experience.

Step 3: Acknowledge Rhyme and Parallelism

Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds at the end of lines, as seen with ‘rooms’ and ‘perfumes’. It creates a sense of closure and rhythm in poetry. Parallelism, on the other hand, involves the repetition of phrases, like ‘I ascend’, which strengthens the poem’s structure and reinforces its themes, making the message memorable.

Related Concepts

Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within words

Rhyme

The repetition of similar sounds at the end of lines.

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