The whole idea of it makes me feel
like I'm coming down with something,
something worse than any stomach ache
or the headaches I get from reading in bad light--
a kind of measles of the spirit,
a mumps of the psyche,
a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.
You tell me it is too early to be looking back,
but that is because you have forgotten
the perfect simplicity of being one
and the beautiful complexity introduced by two.
But I can lie on my bed and remember every digit.
At four I was an Arabian wizard.
I could make myself invisible
by drinking a glass of milk a certain way.
At seven I was a soldier, at nine a prince.
But now I am mostly at the window
watching the late afternoon light.
Back then it never fell so solemnly
against the side of my tree house,
and my bicycle never leaned against the garage
as it does today,
all the dark blue speed drained out of it.
This is the beginning of sadness, I say to myself,
as I walk through the universe in my sneakers.
It is time to say good-bye to my imaginary friends,
time to turn the first big number.
It seems only yesterday I used to believe
there was nothing under my skin but light.
If you cut me I could shine.
But now when I fall upon the sidewalks of life,
I skin my knees. I bleed.
Can someone find me one way how the author’s use of figurative language helps to develop that theme.
I have to use three examples and I already have my other 2 .
Personification and Metaphor
Why aren't you using all three of these lines for personification?
a kind of measles of the spirit,
a mumps of the psyche,
a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.
What term could you apply to these two lines?
the perfect simplicity of being one
and the beautiful complexity introduced by two.
Because I didn't want to give examples for all three lines. I can do that however.
and RHYTHM & RHYME, see i don't know..?
Which lines did you use for example(s) of personification?
Which lines did you use for example(s) of metaphor?
For personification I used
"a kind of measles of the spirit"
For metaphor I used
"But now when I fall upon the sidewalks of life, I skin my knees"
Then I explained them, now I just need one more and the I have to explain how he used the figurative language in order to develop the theme. And the theme is " How horrible the author thinks growing up is"
I just got stuck, I understand this.But at times you just need a little help.
*then I have to
Why would you need to give examples for all three lines? Those three lines ARE the EXAMPLES of the use of personification!
----------------
"simplicity" and "complexity" are opposites.
Think about this:
http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/juxtaposition.html
(from http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/ )
NEVERMIND.
What I mean by giving examples
is I have to explain what he means by
each of
1 a kind of measles of the spirit,
2 a mumps of the psyche,
3 a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.
I KNOW THAT THEY ARE ALLLL personification.
ah thank you.. I can tell that you are getting upset with me.
Thanks for your help however.
No, not upset!
It just would make sense to use all three lines since spirit, psyche, and soul are synonymous and measles, mumps, and chicken pox are all considered childhood diseases.
Good luck with your paper!
Certainly! Let's focus on the first example of figurative language used by the author to develop the theme.
The example you've mentioned - personification - highlights the author's feelings of sadness and loss of innocence. Personification is a figure of speech in which human characteristics are given to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. In this case, the author personifies the late afternoon light by stating that it falls "solemnly against the side of my tree house."
By personifying the light, the author creates a sense of heaviness and seriousness, reflecting the beginning of sadness and the loss of childhood innocence. The light, typically associated with brightness and joy, is now described as solemn, indicating a shift in the narrator's perspective and emotions.
This use of personification helps to develop the theme of growing up and the loss of childhood innocence. It emphasizes the narrator's realization that life is no longer as simple and carefree as it used to be. The personification adds depth and emotional resonance to the theme, allowing readers to connect with the narrator's experience of transitioning into adulthood.