Imagery and metaphors

Imagery and metaphors are important stylistic devices which add to the lyrical qualities of “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae. 

Imagery

Imagery refers to the general images a poem conveys which can be visual, sensory or related to movement (and not metaphors as such). “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae creates at least three memorable images: that of the graveyard with poppies in Flanders (ll. 1-3), that of the birds flying and singing in the sky (ll. 3-5), and that of the dying soldiers passing torches to the others (ll. 13-14). Note that the poem opens and closes with the same image of the poppy field: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow” (l. 1);

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. (ll. 16-17)

Metaphors and personification

Two metaphors and one personification strike ...