Language and style
The language and style of the poem “The History Teacher” by Billy Collins can help you better understand the theme and message explored by the author. Here, we will focus on:
- Playing with the language
- Tense of the verbs
- Type of words used
- The style of the poem & mode of expression
- The sentence structure
- Irony
- The effect of the language and style
Playing with the language
The poem mostly plays with language through metaphors and litotes. Litotes are the opposites of hyperboles and involve huge understatements. In fact, the lessons which the teacher is supposed to share with his students are simple understatements and lies.
The Ice Age is metaphorically associated with the “Chilly Age” (l. 3) when “everyone had to wear sweaters” (l. 4).
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The sentence structure
The sentences employed in “The History Teacher” respect the traditional grammatical structure and no inversions are used. The sentences are either medium-length (such as in stanzas 1-4) or very long.
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Irony
Irony is created in the poem with the help of litotes. Instead of showing children the true consequences of several historical events (such as the dramatic disappearance of dinosaurs, the effects of atomic bombs or the tragic killings triggered by the Spanish Inquisitions),...
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The effect of the language and style
Overall, the poem resembles a narrative more than a lyrical text. Of course, the absence of specific rhythmic and...
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