The Poetry Device Artwork

The Poetry Device Artwork was created by Ann Brennan. 



The three poetry devices I chose to create this piece were sensory imagery, personification, and simile. As I read the novel, I found that many of the deep, intense happenings were described using intricately worded devices such as the ones I have mentioned. 


The pear tree blossoms in the piece represent the sensory imagery. In the beginning of Hurston's novel, Janie is lying beneath a pear tree and describes the beautiful scene that surrounds her. I believe this passage is significant to the story because it signifies the peace and languid outlook of Janie's short-lived youth.

         "She was stretched on her back beneath the pear tree soaking in the alto chant of the visiting bees, the gold of the sun and the panting breath of the breeze when the inaudible voice of it all came to her. She saw a dust-bearing bee sink into the sanctum of a bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace and the ecstatic shiver of the tree from root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight. So this was a marriage! She had been summoned to behold a revelation. Then Janie felt a pain remorseless sweet that left her limp and languid." (11)

The dark on the right of Janie and the tears she sheds represent the personification of death. Throughout Janie's life, her spirit battles with the loss of her loves. While Janie thinks of death as a being, I used the black to represent the impact of he/she (death) on her life. I believe this passage is significant to the story because death played a devastating part in Janie's life; it took both Joe and Tea Cake from her. 

         "So Janie began to think of Death. Death, that strange being with the huge square toes who lived way in the West. The great one who lived in the straight house like a platform without sides to it, and without a roof. What need has Death for a cover, and what winds can blow against him? He stands in his high house that overlooks the world. Stands watchful and motionless all day with his sword drawn back, waiting for the messenger to bid him come. Been standing there before there was a where or a when or a then. She was liable to find a feather from his wings lying in her yard any day now. She was sad and afraid too." (84)

The seashore on the bottom of the piece represents the simile. As the novel comes to a close, Janie speaks of love and how it is like the sea. I believe this passage is significant because throughout her life, she had experienced different loves, happenings, and feelings. The use of simile shows her understanding of love and its many forms. 

          "Love is lak de sea. It’s uh movin’ thing, but still and all, it takes its shape from de shore it meets, and it’s different with every shore." (191) 

Citations

Hurston, Zora. Their Eyes Were Watching God.