How Does Rilke Use Metaphors In Poetry

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In 1902, an aspiring poet named Franz Kappus wrote to a fellow poet, Rainer Maria Rilke. Kappus searches for criticism of his poems. Through a series of letters Rilke creates, he responds to this aspiring poet and untangles a central idea using metaphors. The series of letters written by Rilke are collectively called, Letters to a Young Poet “Letter One.” In Black Swan Green, the chapter solarium, the main character Jason writes poetry to the vicar in search of publication. When he arrives at the vicarage he realized it was not the vicar publishing his poetry, rather than Madame Crommelynck, a Belgium heiress. Madame Crommelynck conversates with Jason, who writes under the name Elliot Bolivar, about including beauty into his writing. Rilke creates a central idea of beauty coming from within. Similarly, the story Black Swan Green, David Mitchell uses personification and metaphors to untangle his central ideas. The texts, Letters to a …show more content…

Rilke uses a metaphor about Kappus’ roots; “see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart”(Rilke 2). Rilke does not mean for Kappus to literally go into his roots, but rather go through your true self and past to see if you should truly write. The metaphor of roots helps Rilke go deeper into the simple idea that beauty comes from within. On the contrary, Mitchell usually uses personification to demonstrate his central idea. Mitchell develops Jason’s character as young and immature, therefore he sees the world in a different perspective than the usual person. When he first knocks on Madame Crommelynck’s door, he explains, “the big old house gave nothing away”(Mitchell 1). The house, of course, would not talk to Jason or give him any secrets. Once again, Mitchell makes the house come to life and have human like qualities. Rilke uses metaphors to elude to his central idea, while, Mitchell uses personification to demonstrate his beauty having no true

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