Use the excerpt from the poem "Late September" by Amy Lowell to answer the question.

Warmth of earth, and cloudless wind

Tearing off the husky rind,

Blowing feathered seeds to fall

By the sun-baked, sheltering wall.

In three to five sentences, explain how the poet uses figurative language to express meaning in this stanza.

(4 points)

The poet uses personification by giving the wind the human-like ability to tear off the husky rind. The use of imagery describes the blowing of feathered seeds that fall on the sun-baked, sheltering wall. The figurative language enhances the idea that late September is the time of the year when nature is in a transitional phase, and the seeds falling on the sun-baked wall signify the end of growth and a coming season of rest.

In this stanza, the poet Amy Lowell uses figurative language to vividly describe the arrival of autumn. The phrase "Warmth of earth" personifies the earth by attributing the human sensation of warmth to it. The line "Tearing off the husky rind" employs the metaphor of husky rind to represent the shedding of the summer season, comparing it to the peeling of a fruit. The phrase "Blowing feathered seeds to fall" uses personification to describe the wind carrying seeds and implies the natural cycle of growth and renewal. Finally, the line "By the sun-baked, sheltering wall" uses personification and metaphor to evoke an image of a wall that provides warmth and protection from the sun, conveying a sense of comfort and security in the changing season.

In the given stanza, the poet Amy Lowell uses figurative language to vividly describe the late September weather. She personifies the wind as "tearing off the husky rind" and "blowing feathered seeds," creating a sense of strong, powerful movement. This personification adds depth and complexity to the imagery, emphasizing the force of the wind. Additionally, the phrase "sun-baked, sheltering wall" employs metaphorical language, suggesting that the wall is providing protection and warmth to the falling seeds. Through these figures of speech, the poet effectively conveys the energy and transformative nature of the late September season.