Effective use of poetic devices/techniques - SS1 Literature Lesson Note

Devices/Techniques in "Vanity" by Birago Diop:

1. Imagery: Birago Diop employs vivid imagery throughout the poem to paint a rich and evocative picture of the city and its ruins. The descriptions of the sculpted figures, the intricate artwork, and the city's treasures create a clear mental image for the reader. This imagery helps convey the sense of awe and grandeur that the city once held.

2. Metaphor: The poem makes effective use of metaphors to convey its central theme. The city's ruins serve as a metaphor for the impermanence of human achievements and the transient nature of material possessions. By likening the city's grandeur to dust and decay, Diop highlights the futility of pursuing worldly riches.

3. Irony: There is a touch of irony in the poem as the traveler admires the city's beauty and grandeur while the speaker interrupts this admiration with a stark reminder of the city's inevitable decline. This irony underscores the contrast between external appearances and the underlying reality of decay and impermanence.

4. Repetition: Repetition is used strategically in the poem to emphasize key points. The repeated phrase "And the hands that built it" reinforces the idea that even the builders of the city were not immune to the ravages of time. This repetition drives home the message of the poem.

5. Symbolism: The city and its ruins can be seen as symbols in the poem. The city symbolizes human accomplishments, material wealth, and external beauty, while its ruins symbolize the inevitable decay and transience of these things. The sculptures and artwork within the city also symbolize human creativity and artistic expression.

6. Enjambment: The poem employs enjambment, where lines and sentences flow into one another without a pause. This stylistic choice creates a sense of continuous thought and reflection, mirroring the ongoing contemplation of the poem's themes.

7. Diction: Diop's choice of words is deliberate and impactful. Words like "magnificent," "splendor," and "marvelous" used by the traveler contrast sharply with the speaker's words like "fallen" and "dust." This choice of diction underscores the theme of impermanence and the shifting perspective between admiration and reality.

In "Vanity" by Birago Diop, these poetic devices and techniques work together to convey a powerful message about the transitory nature of human achievements and the pursuit of material wealth. Through vivid imagery, metaphorical language, irony, and symbolism, the poem encourages readers to reflect on the deeper meaning of life and the enduring value of inner qualities and cultural heritage.