Poetic devices

The poem “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman uses a variety of poetic devices to make the listeners more aware of the theme and message. 

Alliteration

Alliteration is frequently employed in the poem, to create a pleasing rhythm, or to strengthen a message. For instance, the same alliteration in ‘b’ can achieve opposite effects, depending on the type of sound it produces:

In the line “We’ve braved the belly of the beast” (l. 3), it increases the feeling of determination and triumph, because of the predominance of the open vowels such as ‘a’ and ‘e’.

In the line “Our blunders become their burdens” (l. 45), the effect is an opposite one, of defeat and even distress, because the same consonant is surrounded by the closed vowel ‘u’.

The alliteration in r in the line “We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover” (l. 54) creates the effect of a sweeping action, that once set in motion, flows seamlessly forward.

Another alliteration can be found in the line:

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions o...