What is the rhyme scheme of the poem TELEVISION ? Explain the use of rhetorical devices used by the poet.
Answers
Roald Dahl has used numerous rhetorical devices in his poem ‘Television’. In fact, almost every line has something figurative in it, leave alone the overall poetic devices like rhyme, rhythm and meter. Here is a list of all those devices that I have spotted so far —
Simile:
A simile is a direct comparison between two different things using ‘as’ or ‘like’.
In the line “HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE”, the poet uses a simile. Brain is compared to cheese for its softness after watching TV.
Metaphor:
“Until they’re absolutely drunk” — Children’s minds, filled with the images and stories of a virtual world, are compared to a drunk man’s imaginary world in an apt metaphor here.
Alliteration:
Alliteration is a type of consonance. It is the repetition of consonant sounds in the beginning of nearby words.
Example of alliteration: “And pirates wearing purple pants” / Just How The Camel Got His Hump”
Example of other consonance: “It makes a child so dull and blind” (repetition of ‘L’ and ‘D’ sounds) / “He can no longer understand” (‘N’ sound repeated)