Important Features of Adrienne Rich’s Language and Style
All poetry questions will require a discussion of language and style. This may be asked for explicitly in the wording of the question, or implicitly in phrases such as ‘expertly crafted’, ‘innovative style’ or ‘eloquent poetry’. Always have a selection of quotations prepared on the various literary techniques a poet uses.
IMAGERY
Imagery refers to visually descriptive or figurative language. It is one of the most important aspects of a poet’s style to discuss. Similes (comparisons that use ‘like’, ‘as’ or ‘than’) and metaphors (comparisons that do not use ‘like, ‘as’ or ‘than’) can all be categorised under the broader term of imagery, as they all use figurative language and help draw the reader in to a poem.
IMAGERY
Rich’s poetry is more psychological than visual, yet when she does create images they are impressively unique and vivid. For example:
„„‘Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,/ Bright topaz denizens of a world of green’ (‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’)
The lively verb ‘prance’ depicts the bouncing gait of the tigers, while the contrast of deep yellow ‘topaz’ and green helps us to imagine the tigers’ vibrant colouring against the enveloping green backdrop of a jungle.
„„‘I leave the book upon a pillowed chair/ And walk from window to closed window, watching/ Boughs strain against the sky’ (‘Storm Warnings’)
The effectiveness of this image lies in its familiarity. The speaker simply lays their book down and walks from window to window to view the storm at different angles. The contrast between the peace of the interior room and the stormy exterior brings this image to life.
„„‘your eyes are stars of a different magnitude/ they reflect lights that spell out: EXIT’ (‘Trying to Talk with a Man’)
This unusual image captures the moment when the exit sign is reflected in the man’s eyes. It is also appropriate because he has already left this relationship emotionally.
