In the final stanza of the poem "The Burning Book," the speaker shifts from third person to first person. This shift in perspective has a number of effects.
First, it creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader. The speaker is no longer simply describing the burning book; they are now a participant in the event. This creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, as the reader is now witnessing the event through the speaker's eyes.
Second, the shift in perspective allows the speaker to reflect on the meaning of the event. The speaker's own feelings and thoughts about the burning book are now revealed, which adds a layer of depth and complexity to the poem.
Finally, the shift in perspective allows the speaker to take ownership of the event. The speaker is no longer simply an observer; they are now a participant in the event, and they are responsible for its meaning. This gives the poem a sense of power and agency, as the speaker is now in control of the narrative.
Overall, the shift in perspective in the final stanza of "The Burning Book" is a powerful and effective device. It creates a sense of intimacy, allows the speaker to reflect on the meaning of the event, and gives the speaker a sense of ownership of the event. This shift in perspective adds a layer of depth and complexity to the poem, making it a more powerful and moving work of art.
Here is a quote from the final stanza that illustrates the shift in perspective:
"I watch the pages curl and blacken, And I am filled with sadness. I know that this book was a Part of me, and now it is gone."
In this stanza, the speaker uses the first-person pronoun "I" to describe their feelings about the burning book. This shift in perspective allows the reader to see the event through the speaker's eyes, and it creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader. The speaker's feelings of sadness and loss are conveyed in a way that is both powerful and moving.