Question

Give 2 examples of similes in the 3rd stanza and comment on the way that these similes change our perception of the mother.

A) The similes in the 3rd stanza, "like a shining star" and "as fierce as a lioness," serve to highlight the mother's extraordinary brightness and her protective, fierce nature.
B) The similes in the 3rd stanza, "as delicate as a flower" and "like a gentle breeze," emphasize the mother's fragility and her calm, soothing presence.
C) The similes in the 3rd stanza, "as cold as ice" and "like a stone wall," suggest that the mother is distant and unfeeling, creating a negative perception of her.
D) The similes in the 3rd stanza, "like a summer's day" and "as calm as a lake," convey the mother's warmth and serenity, portraying her positively.

Answer 1

Similes in poetry compare subjects to other entities to evoke imagery and emotions, which can shape our perceptions of characters or themes in positive or negative ways.

Step-by-step explanation:

The similes in the 3rd stanza of a given poem serve to enhance our understanding of a character, often deepening or complicating our perception. For example, if a simile describes a mother "like a shining star" and "as fierce as a lioness," it would emphasize her radiant presence and protective instincts. Alternatively, a simile that portrays her "as cold as ice" and "like a stone wall" would create a more negative image of emotional distance or unresponsiveness.

Understanding how similes work helps us visualize and feel the comparisons being made, creating a vivid image in our minds to illustrate qualities of people, objects, or situations. If the poem compares a subject to something with a generally positive connotation, like a summer's day, it enhances the subject with those positive attributes. Conversely, comparing a subject to something less favorable may invoke negative associations.