Dennis Scott: Poems Literary Elements

Dennis Scott: Poems Literary Elements

Speaker or Narrator, and Point of View

The poems are narrated from the perspective of a subjective first person narrator.

Form and Meter

The poems do not have a fixed form and meter because they are written in different styles.

Metaphors and Similes

In the poem "Uncle Time’’ the narrator compares time with the spider. The comparison is important because it has the purpose of transmitting the idea that the uncle is a dangerous person who has the capability to hurt anyone.

Alliteration and Assonance

We find alliteration in the line "him tell yu: watch de hill an' yu se mi.’’

Irony

The poem ‘’The never ending blame game’’ is an ironic one because while initially one may think the narrator praises those who refuse to accept responsibility for their actions, it becomes clear that the narrator is mocking them.

Genre

Narrative poems

Setting

The poem ‘’Uncle Time’’ is set on a beach.

Tone

The tone used in the poem ‘’The never ending blame game’’ is an ironic one.

Protagonist and Antagonist

The protagonist in the poem ‘’Uncle time’’ is the small boy and the antagonist is Uncle Time.

Major Conflict

The major conflict in the poem ‘’Uncle Time’’ is between life and death.

Climax

The poem ‘’Uncle Time’’ reaches its climax when time traps in his webs the small boy.

Foreshadowing

No foreshadowing can be found in the poems.

Understatement

The title of the poem ‘’Uncle Time’’ transmits the idea that Time is something we should not be afraid of, someone akin to a family member. This is however an understatement as it is proven that time is extremely dangerous.

Allusions

One of the things alluded in the poem ‘’The never ending blame game’’ is how humans developed the tendency to blame others for their problems as a result of the heartbreak they had to suffer.

Metonymy and Synecdoche

The term "sh*t’’ is used in the poem as a general term to make reference to the foolish things a person may do.

Personification

We find a personification in the poem ‘’Uncle Time’’ in the line ‘’ long, lazy years’’.

Hyperbole

We find a hyperbole in the poem ‘’Uncle Time’’ in the line ‘’ All year long 'im wash 'im foot in de sea,’’.

Onomatopoeia

No onomatopoeia can be found in the poems.

Update this section!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this section.

Update this section

After you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.

Cite this page