The Power of Figurative Language in Mary Oliver's "The Black Snake"

What figurative language is being used in line 3 of "The Black Snake?"

Simile

Allusion

Metaphor

Personification

What is the "brighter fire" Mary Oliver refers to in "The Black Snake?"

The black snake's spirit

The black snake is scared

The black snake is on fire

The black snake's speed

The figurative language in line 3 is personification, and the brighter fire refers to the snake's speed.

The figurative language being used in line 3 of "The Black Snake" is personification. Personification is a figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed to non-human things. In this line, the speaker is personifying the snake by saying it "pressed its wooden head against the dirt." By giving the snake a human-like action, the poet is creating a vivid image and making the snake seem more alive and real.

The "brighter fire" that Mary Oliver refers to in "The Black Snake" is the black snake's speed. In the poem, the snake is described as moving swiftly and smoothly. The phrase "brighter fire" is a metaphor that suggests the snake's speed and agility, as if it is powered by a bright fire.

Figurative language plays a crucial role in creating imagery and depth in poetry. It helps readers visualize and connect with the emotions and themes conveyed by the writer. In "The Black Snake," Mary Oliver masterfully uses figurative language to bring the nature of the snake to life and evoke powerful emotions in the readers.