Imagery and metaphors

“London Taxi Driver” by David Dabydeen is conveyed using several metaphors, a simile, and an example of personification. These language devices make the poem come alive to us and give the poem additional meanings.

Imagery

Some notable examples of imagery - here meaning highly descriptive, vivid language - are when the speaker describes the effects of European colonisers (the British) on local culture in Guyana— “Discoloured, hang their heads and rot / On bamboo pikes:” (p. 126, ll. 6-7)— or the driver’s actions:

He honked, swerved and swore,
Paused at the twin-tubbed buttocks of High Street Wives
Jerked forward again,
Unwound the window as we sped along,
Hawked and spat. (p. 126, ll. 2-6)

Similes and personification

The simile “horned like ancient clarions” describes the driver’s aggression and suggests that he is noisy and loud – a “clarion” is a type of war trumpet.

Personification is used ...