Kiranmayi Blog

OPTIONAL ENGLISH - FIGURES OF SPEECH Figure of Speech:  Figure of Speech is a poetic device which consists the use of words and phrases in such a manner as to give more emphasis on a point or make the meaning even more clear. It is very helpful to express emotions in a beautiful and refined manner. It is very important in poetry as it helps in creating a vivid effect while expressing emotions. Though it is also used in prose, it is extensively made use of in poetry as poetry tends to contain intense emotions within few words.  1) Simile: This is a direct comparison between two different things. One similar quality of the things is compared. It is very simple comparison. Words of comparison “like, as, so” are used in simile. E.g., As brave as a lion 2) Epic or Homeric Simile: It is also called “long-tailed simile”. Many similar qualities between two things are compared. The comparison is very complicated and is very long. It was first used by Homer, the grea...

OPTIONAL ENGLISH  -  STANZA ✴️ Stanza:  ▶️A stanza is a group of lines in poetry which form a unit by themselves. ▶️Stanza is the unit of organisation in poetry. ▶️Stanza in poetry is similar to paragraph in prose. ▶️Stanzas in poetry may be regular or irregular. ▶️The number and variety of stanza forms in English cannot be counted. ▶️Some of the famous stanza forms in English are: ✴️1) Chaucerian Stanza    ✴️2)Ottava Rhyme       ✴️3) Spenserian Stanza ✴️4)Terza Stanza                ✴️5) Quatrain Stanza  ✴️6)Heroi Couplet ✴️7) Octasyllabic Couplet ✴️8) Satire ✴️ 1) Chaucerian Stanza or Rhyme Royal  ▶️This was first used in England by Chaucer “The Father of English Poetry”. ▶️He borrowed it from France . ▶️It is also called Rhyme Royal because it was used by King James I of Scotland in the 15th century for his poem “King’s Quake”. ▶️The Chaucerian stanza is a stanza ...

OPTIONAL ENGLISH: RHYME RHYME:  Rhyme is the similarity in sound between words or syllables.  If the words or syllables at the end of two lines of poetry have similar sounds, then we say that the two lines rhyme together. If only one syllable is rhyming, it is called “ single ” or “masculine” rhyme. Examples: ring, sing If two syllables are rhyming, it is called “ double ” or “feminine” rhyme. Examples: ringing, singing If three syllables are rhyming, it is called “ triple ” rhyme. Double and Triple rhyme are used rarely as they make poetry appear odd and artificial. Generally, only the last words of two lines rhyme together. But sometimes, even the middle word can rhyme with the last word in the same line. If a word in the middle of a line rhymes with a word at the end of the line, it is called “ Medial Rhyme ”. Using medial rhyme in poetry makes it more musical. Rhyme is not compulsory in poetry, but it is very commonly used and adds beaut...

OPTIONAL ENGLISH: SYLLABLE, FOOT, METRE Syllable:  A syllable is a unit of pronunciation, which consists of one vowel sound. Foot:  A foot is the basic unit of measurement, used when measuring the metre of poetry. Metre:  Metre is the ordered rhythm which results from a regular alteration of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry. There are 5 main types of metre in English poetry: 1)  Iambic:  ✴️ In Iambic metre, each foot has two syllables. ✴️ First is unstressed syllable and second is stressed syllable. ✴️ If there are five feet in one line of a poem, it is called Iambic pentametre . ✴️ Most of the poetry in English is written in Iambic Pentametre. It is the most common metre of English poetry. ✴️ If there are four feet, it is called Iambic Tetrametre . ✴️ If there are three feet, it is called Iambic Trimetre. ✴️ If there are two feet, it is called Iambic Dimetre. ✴️ If there are eight feet, it is called Iambic Octamet...

"REFUGEE MOTHER AND CHILD"  -  POEM ANALYSIS Introduction: "Refugee Mother and Child" is a poem written by Chinua Achebe, a famous Nigerian writer. The poem is a simple, but vivid description of the life of people (especially women and children) who are stranded in refugee camps during turbulent times. The poem is poignant due to its artful usage of imagery and simple language. The pitiable state of such people is depicted evocatively; while strongly emphasizing on the unconditional love of a mother towards her child, which knows no end. Poet: The poet, Chinua Achebe is a famous Nigerian writer. He grew up in Africa during the colonial rule. His works are heavily inspired by the pitiful situation of the native people during the colonial rule. The same can be observed in this poem too; as he touchingly speaks about the hapless state of refugees in a camp during wartime. Structure: The poem is written in freestyle. It is not structured i.e., not divided int...