The Names Billy Collins Essay

Figurative language is a main component in showcasing the emotions the characters reveal. An example being when the author writes “ The children huddled up to her and breathed like little calves waiting at the bars in the twilight.” This portrays the children's emotions with more emphasis and really shows how they watched everything Granny Weatherall did with precision. This type of writing really helps the reader understand what is going on within the characters and their actions. The author also displays figurative language in the way she describes how John would be in the situation of them still being together. She describes him as being more of a child, rather than taking a parent role.

Figurative language is a language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. When the author uses literary language, he or she is stating the facts as they are. Figurative language is very common in poetry, and is also used in prose and nonfiction as well. In the stories “The Treasure of Lemon Brown” by Walter Dean Myer and “ The Contender” by Robert Lipsyte the authors use figurative language to describe the mood, setting, and the characters.

Allegory is defined as a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation. The historical fiction novel, The Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis is about a family who is exposed to racism after traveling from Michigan to Alabama for the first time. It shows a political and societal mess that molds them into new personalities, both dejected and aware of the racial discrimination in America. The Watsons is an excellent example of an allegory, because the events in the story often seem symbolic to events involving the civil rights movement happening at that same time in the United States. In the beginning of the Watsons, they were fun

Using figurative language in writing provides a creative, personal way to write with meaning. For example: Wiesel writes about a terrifying experience when traveling in a car with hundreds of moaning people, scribing about the “death rattle of an entire convoy with the end approaching” (Wiesel 103). While readers cannot hear the screams of such people, and may have no understanding of what a “death rattle” (Wiesel 103) is, it is quite possible to envision how horrifying of a sound those screams are, and how consternating of an experience it is for Wiesel. Figurative language allows authors to contour their words so that they may more clearly elucidate their ideas to their readers. In the citation formerly presented, Wiesel uses imagery to illustrate what he hears.

Arguably the most popular poet in America, Billy Collins provides readers with two types of poetry that is nothing like typical poetry. One of his unique styles is writing as if the poem could be read like a novel. The other type brings humor and whimsy to his work, yet he hints at a seriousness that lies beneath the surface. Both styles of poetry are easy to read, but take a second look to realize what the Collins is intending the reader to understand. Billy Collins is an exceptionally talented poet whose writing at first can be taken to be a simple comedy but when read more carefully, it can be interpreted as a far more complex script. First readings of the poems I Chop Some Parsley While Listening To Art Blakey's Version Of Three Blind

Figurative language can help the author make a point. An author can use specific types of figurative language to convey a certain point which in the long run can express the purpose of an author’s work. Personification gives life like characteristics “ The fire was out to get her” (Walls). This personification shows her attachment with fire and the fear it causes her it also helps the reader connect with the writing letting the author better convey the purpose.

Throughout the process of writing my explication, I had to go back and revise what I had written because of new research and extra readings of the poem. I gathered information to relate in my explication by first reading the poem several times. After, I researched the author of the poem, Billy Collins. When I was reading about his life and achievements, I focused on Collins’ life experiences and information on his mother because the speaker mentions his or her mother in the poem. An article from Tampa Bay Times provided information on Collin’s relationship with his mother.

In 2001 a new poet laureate was crowned and a new voice; the voice of

A shift in focus from the students to himself creates an interesting structure in the poem. Collins began discussing his disinterest of his students and their laughable yet pathetic lifestyle. Then toward the end, the author shifts to speak about himself. He expresses the impact of being a long time teacher and the loneliness that comes along with it. Collins creates the detailed image of his colonial house, the deflated car, and vines growing on the porch swing, revealing his depression and sense of being trapped. Therefore, the author connects how past students have driven him to insanity and caused him to create a false reality in his head.

In the poem "The Names", written by Billy Collins, it was a memorial poem from a tragic time in the United States on September 11, 2001. On that day, many lives were taken and many families lost their loved ones and it was a day in history that will never be forgotten. Throughout reading this poem the connections between the title and the poem itself were drawn out more than anything else such as the number of lives that were taken, the amount of names unknown, and the outcome of our country afterwards.

From controversial events to ordinary life stories, Billy Collins writes about various topics in different perspectives just like a chameleon, changing its colors to fit with its surrounding. Collins talks in a gentle, yet humorous way; he illustrates a profound understanding through a clear observation. His writing style blends humor and solemnity in one entity. Throughout his poetry, Collins demonstrates, in a witty and satirical voice, his insightfulness towards the objects, using numerous poetic devices, especially allusions and metaphors to effectively convey his messages, most of which revolves around the theme of death.

When Billy Collins wrote “The Names” America was enamored by tragedy. Speaking of tragedy, the pain in his poem is shockingly detailed among few lines. The presentation of his captivating words, paints pictures in the minds of his readers. At least it did for me as I read this piece of his work. The United States monuments Sept. 11, 2001, as the day that will never be forgotten, many would definitively agree. My insight on his work will reflect on the effects this attack had on our communities, lives of Americans and the tightening of the security we hold in the U.S.A.

Billy Collins uses dark rooms, oceans, hives, color slides and mouse mazes to describe his poem “Introduction to Poetry”, but also a way to analyze poetry in general. Growing up, students are advised by teachers how to analyze poetry. The speaker of Introduction to Poetry, Billy Collins, attempts to guide the readers by teaching them a unique and appropriate way to analyze poetry. The use of personification and imagery, by the author, gives the readers a new perspective to interpret and find the significance in poetry. In this particular poem, the speaker does not want the reader to listen to the teachers of the reader’s past, “tie the poem to a chair with rope and torture a

While reading the poem “Introduction to Poetry,” Billy Collins sends a message to the readers that they should be patient and impartial when it comes to analyzing a poem in order to see the true meaning behind the without being over analytical. There is a revieting situation that takes place because Billy Collins is delivering his message to all readers about the way that one should be able to read a poem. This poems educates the reader on how to be able to read and plunge into a poem, through using many techniques like mood, tone, and literary devices to do so. In the first two lines Collins demands that we tackle a poem with a invigorating eye. There should be an exploration of what the poem means to us. How does this poem apply to our

The use of figurative language in writing brings a story to life in the mind of the reader giving them a better grasp of the events taking place. Using hyperbole, simile and personification serves to develop the characters of a story as well as enhancing its theme (Kirszner and Mandell, 2012).