Final answer:
The poem compares elders to trees to symbolize their strength, wisdom, and deep roots in tradition and experience. The metaphor serves to illustrate the nurturing nature and historical witness of the older generation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the poem The Older Generation, the figures of speech comparing the elders to trees serve to highlight their inherent strength and enduring wisdom. the comparison to trees symbolizes how the older generation is rooted in tradition and experience, similar to how trees have deep roots and have stood the test of time. this metaphor extends to express the generational growth and the nurturing aspect of elders, much like trees provide shelter and support to the life around them. as trees have seen many seasons, so have the elders seen many phases of life and history, carrying within them the marks and wisdom of their passed years. Lines 8-10 of the poem illustrate this point eloquently, drawing a connection between the longevity and natural grace of trees with the accumulated wisdom of the older generation.