| Literary Device |
Line Reference |
Explanation |
| Diction |
"Rites of Passage" |
Rite: a formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious or other solemn use: ie rite of baptism. This is interesting word choice. It puts the poem into new light, making it apear more as a ceremony passing boys into adulthood than a birthday party. |
Diction
|
1-4 |
The people in this poem are called men. They are however young boys, a fact demonstrated by the word "short" and the line "smooth jaws and chins." The boys are not yet old enough to shave. The word "men" is a contradiction of the rest of this passage.
|
| Alliteration |
5-7 |
This passage creates the image of boys trying to be older than they are. The boys are standing with their hands in thier pockets trying to be tough and demonstrate that they are the best person in the room. |
Italics
Punctuation
|
8 |
The conversation between the to boys is put into one line that is divided by punctuation. Italics are used instead of quotation marks to allow the reader to know that they are reading a conversation. |
| Repetition |
9-11 |
Later in the poem Olds talks about the children clearing their throats again.This is another sign of the kids trying to be older than they are. |
Italics
Diciton |
12-13 |
Again italics are used for a conversation instead of quotation marks. Olds does not use names just the people's age. This shows how people are defined by their age.
|
| Diction |
14-15 |
Cakes are suposed to be for happy occasions and are describes as light and fluffy. Not generally described as "dark" or "heavy as a turret."
|
Diction
Simile |
15-21 |
Her child is still young and innocent, but his birthday party is the start of him growing up into the life of violence that is waiting for him. |
| Italics |
22-23 |
Italics shows talking. He is confident about the fact that it would be easy for them to kill someone that much smaller than themselves. |
Diction
Repetition |
23 |
Again she calls the children men
This is repeated from the beginning of the poem. |
Repetition
Irony |
24-26 |
There is repetition of the clearing of the boys throats. They act like adults in adult positions even though they are only children. The boys are supposed to be celebrating the birthday of a young boy, but instead the children are aggressive. |
| tone |
|
the tone of the poem is sarcastic. She talks about the children being men, bankers, and generals. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|