Final answer:
The poet uses language in "The Oven Bird" to develop the metaphor of the bird as a representation of time, using words like 'cease', 'past', and 'diminished' which align with the themes of the transitory nature of life and the changing seasons, central to Robert Frost's love of nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poet uses language to develop a metaphor in "The Oven Bird" by Robert Frost. The words and phrases like cease, past, and diminished are significant in creating the metaphor. Drawing from the context of the poem, these terms suggest a progression of time and the inevitable decline that comes with the passing seasons. The bird, through its song, seems to embody the awareness of time's passage and the transitory nature of life, which is a common theme in Frost's poetry. This language does not evoke hope (a symbol of hope) or mere reflection of sadness. Rather, the bird could be seen as a representation of time (b), as it highlights the diminishing vitality of nature that accompanies the advanced stages of the seasons.
When examining the poem, references to Frost's love of nature are present, as the bird itself is an element of the natural world, and the bird's song is depicted against the backdrop of the changing seasons, which is another central theme in Frost's work.
Regarding the use of metaphor and similes, Frost doesn't directly state that "The Oven Bird" is a representation of time, but through its powerful song about the changing seasons—essentially, the voice of the bird is synonymous with the turning of time. Frost often used nature as a metaphor for more profound human experiences, making the bird not just a creature of the woods but a harbinger of deeper truths about life and its cycles. These examples of figurative language work alongside Frost's lyrical mastery to explore themes such as the passage of time, the beauty and cruelty of nature, and the human condition.