Effective use of imagery/symbolism - SS2 Literature Lesson Note

Effective use of imagery/symbolism

Hallowell uses imagery and symbolism effectively throughout the poem to create a powerful and moving account of the war.

For example, he compares dinner to gun wounds, and he describes the table as "an island where guerrillas walk the land while crocodiles surf." These images evoke the violence and brutality of the war.

Hallowell also uses the symbol of the dining table to represent the country and its people. The dining table is a place where people come together to eat, drink, and socialize. However, in the poem, the dining table has become a symbol of war and violence.

Conclusion

"The Dining Table" is a powerful and moving poem about the devastating effects of war. Hallowell's use of poetic devices, imagery, and symbolism creates a vivid and unforgettable account of the suffering of the Sierra Leonean people during the civil war.