Question

Identify the literary device in "like late winter's moon".

• A. Simile
• B. Alliteration
• C. Metaphor
• D. Personification

Hint:

Remember: Simile uses "like" or "as" for comparison. Metaphor makes a direct comparison without these words. When you see "like" or "as" in a comparison, it's a simile.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This question refers to the line "like late winter's moon" which appears in the poem "An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum" by Stephen Spender. The line describes the pale, thin face of a young girl in the classroom. Analysis of the Literary Devices: Simile: A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words "like" or "as" . In the given phrase, the word "like" is explicitly used: "like late winter's moon" . The girl's face is being compared to the pale, weak, and distant moon of late winter . This comparison highlights the girl's malnutrition, poverty, and lifelessness . Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words . Example: "Peter Piper picked" (repetition of 'p') . In "like late winter's moon," there is some repetition of the 'l' sound ("like late"), but this is not the primary or most significant device in this line . Metaphor: A metaphor is an implied comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as" . Example: "Her face was a pale moon" (direct equation) . Since the line uses "like," it is explicitly a simile, not a metaphor . Personification: Personification gives human qualities or characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract ideas . Example: "The wind whispered through the trees" . There is no personification in this line, as the moon is not given human attributes . Why Simile is the Correct Answer: The presence of the word "like" makes this an unmistakable example of a simile. The poet uses this comparison to create a vivid visual image and convey the emotional state of the child . Final Answer: Simile