Image and Imagery. An image is language that creates a concrete representation of an object or experience. Altogether, the images in a literary work are considered as the work’s imagery. Specific words and phrases that describe something by engaging one or more of the five senses are called sensory details. Which senses does Bishop engage in “Filling Station”? Which senses does Woiwode appeal to in “A Deserted Barn”?
Irony. Irony is a difference between appearance and reality. Words may say one thing, but they may imply something quite different. Look for examples of irony in “Filling Station.” What is ironic about a doily in a filling station?
Personification. Personification is a figure of speech in which something not human is described as if it were human. What is personified in “A Deserted Barn”?
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• A filling station is a service station for motor vehicles. In the past, filling station attendants pumped gas for customers. Most stations now require patrons to fill their own gas tanks, a change that downsized the number of filling station employees. In addition, many stations now are computerized to allow patrons to pay with a credit card at the tank instead of entering the building to pay a cashier.
• History Connection. As the landmark structure of a family farm, a barn is the symbol of a lifestyle that goes back centuries. Barns symbolize tradition, family, security, and living off the land. They often reflect a local culture through shape, style, and color. As corporate farms and high-tech production facilities take over family farms, traditional barns fall into disrepair or become targets for wrecking balls. A number of organizations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation “Barn Again!” program, promote the preservation and rehabilitation of historic barns.
Make a chart like the one shown. As you read the poems, fill in the chart keeping track of irony, personification, and images you encounter.
What images would you use to describe your bedroom?
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