Question

Discuss the use of literary devices in the poem.

Answer 1

Maya Angelou uses various literary devices to make the poem powerful and moving. The extended metaphor of the falling of great trees represents the death of great souls throughout the poem. Personification is used in expressions such as “Our memory... examines, gnaws” and “the sun came peeping”, giving human qualities to non-human things. Imagery creates vivid pictures of forests, rocks, lions, elephants, and dark caves, helping readers feel the impact of loss. The poet also uses alliteration in the line “We can be. Be and be better” to emphasise her message of hope and self-improvement. Together, these literary devices strengthen the poem’s central theme of grief, remembrance, and renewal.