IndexLiterary Analysis of “Allowables”Speaker MeaningCharacterization and Literary DevicesTone and RhythmIronyConclusionReferencesPoetry has the remarkable ability to transport readers to various destinations, encouraging them to see the world from different perspectives. In Nikki Giovanni's poem "Allowables", profound and subliminal messages revolve around the disappearance of a spider. This literary work paints a vivid picture of an individual who admits to taking the life of a spider out of fear, subsequently embarking on a reflective journey. “Allowables” eloquently develops the overall theme that humans should embrace kindness and refrain from causing harm to any living creature, employing a rich tapestry of literary elements. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Literary Analysis of “Eligibles” Meaning of Speaker Within “Eligibles,” the speaker, an anonymous entity, uses first-person narration to establish an intimate, relational connection with the audience. Throughout this 16-line poem, the speaker repeatedly uses the pronoun “I” six times, suggesting the presence of a human perspective. The poem's opening line, "I killed a spider," sets a confessional tone, indicating that the narrator has a significant revelation regarding the spider's death to share with the reader. By acknowledging their wrongdoing, the speaker achieves inner peace and resolution, a form of poetic justice. The role of the speaker in poetry is fundamental and guides the evolution of the narrative. Characterization and Literary Devices Vision of the spider's qualities is conveyed to the audience through the narrator's skillful use of literary devices such as symbolism, metaphors, imagery, and personification. Spiders, symbolically, represent human vulnerability and the allure of darkness, a concept perfectly integrated by the narrator. The speaker assures readers that the spider in question is neither a "murderous brown recluse" nor a "black widow." By referencing various species of spiders, the poem highlights the importance of diversity and advocates for symbiotic coexistence among all living things. The thematic foundation of the poem is that humans should refrain from harming others, regardless of their nature or identity, as diversity is to be celebrated, not feared. The use of imagery and personification becomes apparent as the poem progresses, revealing that the spider was "just a little / sort of paper spider." These visual descriptions highlight the spider's vulnerability, describing it as "papery", connoting fragility and weakness. This depiction rekindles empathy for the spider's unfortunate fate. The narrator also ascribes a feminine gender to the spider by employing gender-specific pronouns such as "she" and "her" in lines 9-11, reinforcing the spider's perceived vulnerability. As a result, the spider's vulnerability serves as a poignant reminder that he was an unintended and unjust victim of the narrator's violence. Tone and Rhythm Tone and rhythm play a critical role in shaping the audience's perspective on the poem's central theme. The poem adheres to a free verse structure, lacking a fixed meter or rhyme scheme. The opening stanza comprises 11 lines and establishes a rapid, sustained rhythm, punctuated by action-oriented verbs such as "killed" and "destroyed". However, a line break after the eleventh line indicates a shift from violence to fear. This change is further emphasized by the division of the poem into several stanzas. Lines 12 to 16 incorporate
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