“In Training” By Helen Lawson Essay

Helen Lawson uses a number of sound and picture devices in the poem In Training. How do they help us to enhance her description of the swimmer and the river?We have all seen a swimmer racing at all sports competition before, In Training, by Helen Lawson brings back the thoughts in our storehouse but moves the background shot to a calm, smooth river in the morning. The poem uses a series of sound and picture devices to help us imagine the swimmer powering by dint of the weewee. Lawson explains the swimmers movements and uses extensive comparisons to help produce detailed pictures in the readers mind.Similes are a comparison between devil people, places or things. This helps to create a picture in the readers mind of what the poet is portraying. There are a number of similes in the poem,leaves/ that hang wish well a veil, refer to a series of branches drooping over the river to resemble a veil. Like a velvet glove, describes the river gently plication over her as she dives int o the cool water of the river. velvet glove, pictures the water grasping onto her as she streamlines underwater. These similes help to describe the image of the swimmer by relating to identical objects.Metaphors are used potently in this poem to stumble a more direct comparison. These metaphors help in describing the swimmer and her surrounding with more detail. everyplace the glass ribbon portrays the rivers water to look clear and glassy like in appearance. Then she is an engine describes the swimmer powering through the water. that like an engine, as she swims through the water her body moves in a repetitive and rhythmic way. Also, for an engine to function all the parts need to scarper together. The swimmer uses her legs and arms together to swim strongly. The metaphors used are very useful to help picture the swimmer in ones mind.Personification is used to make an object seem human like, even though it is non living, Lawson uses personification to give the impression of h uman feelings and movements. Dawn Whispers describes the sounds of the morning leaves and trees rustling in the light and frail wind. The river/ gently enfolds her reflects on the river closing in and filling the empty spaces around the swimmer as she dives into the water. Mornings secrets,describes happenings that only happen in the morning, few of the mornings hidden secrets that can only be seen in the early hours of the day. Personification is an effective form of describing movements and action of non living things, Lawson uses personification very well in this poem.Onomatopoeia is a sound device used in poems to give the impression of sound and effects. Stirring the leaves gives the impression of leaves rustling in the wind. Another example of onomatopoeia is bursts through the surface, this sentence gives the sound of a big rush of water as she surfaces. explosion of action and sound, portrays water been splashed up by the powerful body movements. The swimmer and the water s movements and sounds are clearly shown in the text and can be visualized easily.In Training is effective at portraying the swimmers burning desire to win. The poem helps us to feel the swimmers want to succeed by starting slowly, complimenting the calm setting of the story, but then building up to large and powerful words. This follows the pace of the swimmer. The swimmer starts slowly, but by the end is powering through the water, splashing up droplets of water that catch the sunshine. I can greatly reflect on this poem, times in the past I had the same passion, but also currently in my life, I have the same burning desire to win and succeed.References In Training, Helen Lawson (Poem)- Helen Lawson An Analysis, Unknown Author (2005)