Final answer:
Anne Sexton's 'Young' uses metaphor to convey the essence of youth, simile to highlight its fragility, and imagery to evoke its transient beauty, all of which enhance the poem's thematic profundity. Option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anne Sexton's poem "Young" incorporates a variety of figurative language, which deeply enriches the themes present in her work. First, metaphor is a key element; it compares two unlike things directly, creating powerful associations.
For example, in her poems, a phrase like "Youth is a warm wind" suggests not only the transient, fleeting nature of youth but also its comforting and invigorating qualities.
Simile, another form of figurative language, uses "like" or "as" to draw comparisons. Through phrases such as "our skin is like fabric," Sexton conjures the delicacy and vulnerability of youth.
Lastly, imagery stands out by appealing to the senses, painting a picture in the reader's mind.
Descriptions of nature, such as "flowers bending in the wind," evoke a sense of ephemerality and beauty, mirroring the fleeting moments of youth. These techniques intertwine to enhance the reader's emotional response and understanding of the poem's themes.
So option a,