Metaphor
- One literary device used in this poem is the metaphor. The poet shows similarities between the river and human beings.
- The river is described as being a wanderer, hoarder, baby, singer, dancer and monster.
- The poet also uses the river as a metaphor to describe our own journey through life. Just like the river, we start our journey when we are born. Then we grow up and gradually learn about things and begin to face more challenges. This part is described in the poem when the river meanders through hills and valleys.
- Next, as we mature we have our ups and downs, happy and sad moments. This is described in Stanza 4 and 5.
- Then again, sometimes we behave like monsters and lose our tempers and hurt or destroy others with our actions. This is like when the river turns into a monster and causes destruction.
Personification
- The second literary device used is personification.
- Even though the writer talks about the river yet she has been able to give it human-like abilities, functions and feelings.
- This is referred to as personification. The poem clearly shows, describes and gives ample examples of human characteristics.
- Some of these include being a wanderer like ‘a nomad’ and ‘a tramp’. The river is also a hoarder that buries ‘little treasures’ and does not want to part with them. Then the river moves on and becomes a baby who is ‘happily sucking his thumbs’ and then as a dancer, the river sings and dances along the countryside. Finally, the river is described as a monster that has no mercy.
Contrast
- The third literary device used is making contrasts. Here the poet shows the contrasting characteristics of the river.
- One moment the river is gentle like a baby and at other times, it rears its ugly head and becomes a monster ready to destroy nature.
- Through this technique, the poet shows that the river is just like us, it has both positive and negative characteristics.
Imagery
- Imagery refers to images that we can see when we read and understand the poem.
- In this poem, Valerie has successfully painted a vivid picture of the river and these images are clearly imprinted in our minds as we read the poem.
For examples:
Stanza 1
The image we conjure up is that of a wanderer like a nomad or tramp who moves around and cannot sit still.
Stanza 2
The image formed is that of a river slowly winding down hill, twisting and turning.
Stanza 3
The river is described like a hoarder who buries invaluable treasures beneath it.
Stanza 4
The river is described just like a baby who is sucking on his thumbs. The baby also makes happy gurgling and humming sounds.
Stanza 5
The river becomes a singer who dances along to the song which echoes throughout the countryside.
Stanza 6
An ugly image of the river is painted. It is described as a monster that hungrily swallows up trees and human beings.
