Analysis of 'Down by the Salley Gardens'

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‘Down by the Salley Gardens’ Questions. 1a. In the poem ‘Down by the Salley Gardens’, the technique of rhyming couplets is used to draw emphasis to the last word of the line. In the first verse al the rhyming couplets contain an ‘ee’ sound, which makes the stanza sound light and energetic. The first rhyming couplet ends in a ‘t’ sound, creating a staccato effect and making the verse sound crisp and fresh. This is effective as the verse is about new love, and young, perhaps immature people.In the second stanza however, the rhymes are made up of more elongated vowels. This makes them sound dragged out and gives them a more negative effect, which enhances
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the change in the second verse from the first. Sibilance is also used in the last couplet (‘weirs’ and ‘tears’), reflecting the grief the injured lover feels, and may represent the sound of him crying. 1b. In the first stanza Yeats uses the image ‘as the leaves grow on the trees.’ This suggests that the love between him and his lover is new and growing, and not yet in its prime, but will blossom. It is also a strong image of nature, meaning perhaps that their love is a natural process and is supposed to happen.Also in the first stanza, ...

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