Question

in poem the cold within give an example of alliteration from its first paragraph . what is the significance of 'a stick of wood' ?

Answer 1

Symbolism

Bleak and bitter cold – harsh societal conditions

Dying fire – the eradication of human compassion and fraternity

Log of wood – the hope of survival

Holding back log - holding evil/sin

Cold within - negative feelings towards humanity; lack of warmth, hard-heartedness, self-centredness and inability to reach out to others

Cold without - atmospheric cold

Alliteration

"In bleak and bitter cold."

The alphabet 'b' is repeated in 'bleak' and 'bitter'.