Imagery and metaphors

Imagery is mostly defined as the use of descriptive fragments which help readers better visualize characters, setting or behavior. Visual imagery is employed in the poem “The History Teacher” by Billy Collins when the teacher is depicted on his way home, “past flower beds and white picket fences” (l. 19). Also, we can easily visualize the Chilly Age as a period “when everyone had to wear sweaters” (l. 4).

When it comes to other figures of speech, we recommend you pay attention to metaphors and litotes (understatements). The Ice Age, which actually meant the reduction of temperature on Earth, meant much more … 

Symbols

The white picket fence and the flower beds symbolize an ideal world and also the American dream. As you know, every immigrant or local considers a house with a white picket fence the ultimate American dream and the symbol of harmony. In the poem, these elements are ironic because nothing is harmonious in the environment in which the teacher works. Although calm and harmony dominate his class, chaos and violence …