Exploring Figurative Language in Naomi Shihab Nye's Poem "Remembered"

What figurative language is used in the poem "Remembered" by Naomi Shihab Nye?

The poem "Remembered" by Naomi Shihab Nye contains several examples of figurative language:

• Metaphor: "the air tasted like rust" - comparing the taste of the air to rust
• Personification: "the world was shaking its head" - giving human qualities to the world
• Hyperbole: "all the cities of the world burned down" - exaggerated statement for effect
• Imagery: "I closed my eyes and saw waves of light / and stars falling like snow" - creating vivid mental images

Figurative Language in "Remembered" by Naomi Shihab Nye

The poem "Remembered" by Naomi Shihab Nye is rich in figurative language, enhancing the emotional impact of the speaker's remembrance. Let's delve deeper into the examples of figurative language found in the poem:

Metaphor:

One powerful metaphor in the poem is "the air tasted like rust." This metaphor conveys the speaker's emotional state by likening the taste of the air to the unpleasantness of rust, highlighting the bitterness and heaviness of her emotions.

Personification:

Through the line "the world was shaking its head," Nye employs personification to imbue the world with human-like qualities. This personification suggests a sense of disapproval or lamentation from the world itself, mirroring the speaker's feelings of sadness and loss.

Hyperbole:

The hyperbolic statement "all the cities of the world burned down" exaggerates the intensity of the speaker's internal turmoil. This hyperbole emphasizes the magnitude of the emotional devastation experienced, extending it to a global scale for heightened effect.

Imagery:

Nye's use of imagery, such as "I closed my eyes and saw waves of light / and stars falling like snow," paints a vivid picture of the speaker's surreal experience of grief and remembrance. The sensory details create a poignant and haunting visual representation of her emotional journey.

Overall, these instances of figurative language work collectively to evoke a profound emotional resonance in "Remembered," conveying a deep sense of sorrow and reflection in the face of loss.