Holocaust Poetry #2

1. How is imagery used in this poem?

Imagery is used within this poem in several ways that describe the lifestyle of the Jews when they were taken by the Nazis. Imagery such 'filled there little bellies, not with bread but bullets' shows the discrimination but also the innocence of the Jews seen through the first phase 'filled there little bellies'. Not only is there imagery about the abduction of the Jews but there is the post-death experience of them where they are killed and sent to float the 'rivers' back to there homeland.

1. Discuss the effect of the simile in this poem.

The simile within the poem 'flipping them like tiddlywinks into the congealing, icy river below' adds many things to the poem and has a strong effect on the poem. These include the way that they were treated 'flipping them like tiddlywinks' and that they were sentenced the the 'icy rivers below' which refers to an unwanted place were it is cold and there is little life. It also shows the juxtaposition between the innocence of the children and the cruelty of the Nazis.

1. How is alliteration used in the poem? What is the effect?

The effect of the alliteration within the poem, 'filled there little bellies, not with bread but bullets' shows the juxtaposition between the nazis and the jews. The nazi side of it comes from the 'bullets' showing the seriousness and military orientated them of the Nazis. The jewish side comes from the innocence of the phase 'little bellies' which shows how small and helpless they were. This also shows the way that the jews were treated, not being feed the most basics of food, bread.

1. How does the author juxtapose the innocence of the children to the cruelty they experienced?

The author uses juxtaposition between the innocence and the cruelty the children experienced with many key terms. His use of an innocent them like 'little bellies ' and 'tiddlywinks' shows how helpless the Jews were and that they were seen as small idea in a master plan. The cruelty theme comes from the death element of the poem which shows the darkness of the holocaust.

1. What is meant by 'touring all of Europe'?

The phases 'touring all of Europe' within the story adds many elements to the poem. One of the main elements that it adds is that the jews are taken from all over Europe and not just one part of the jewish-europe but that they come from all different places. This is also shown in the fact that they are sent to flow down on of the longest rivers in Europe, the Danube.