Final answer:
To identify poetic devices used in 'Christmas 1970' by Sandra M. Castillo, one must look for comparisons, like simile and metaphor, as well as other elements such as alliteration, personification, hyperbole, irony, onomatopoeia, and symbolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
When analyzing Sandra M. Castillo's poem 'Christmas 1970', it's essential to identify the poetic devices the poet employs to convey her message. The options given include simile and metaphor, alliteration and personification, hyperbole and irony, and onomatopoeia and symbolism. To identify the correct devices, one must examine the poem's language. Similes and metaphors are direct comparisons, where similes use "like" or "as", and metaphors do not. Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, while personification attributes human characteristics to non-human entities. Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement, and irony involves stating something contrary to what is meant. Onomatopoeia is the use of words that sound like their meaning, whereas symbolism uses objects or actions to represent deeper meanings or concepts.
Figurative language, including simile and metaphor, helps readers connect concepts and images in new ways. This can be observed in the effective use of metaphors like "My love, you are a rose." or similes such as "My darling, you are like a rose.". Considering the crucial role of these devices in poetry, they are likely to be present in the work of Castillo as well.