Poetry Analysis: Mirror

Vocabulary flashcards covering the literary devices, metaphors, and themes of aging and appearance in the poem 'Mirror' as discussed in the lecture notes.

Unmisted

A clear mirror that provides a view without clouds or emotions, reflecting exactly what is in front of it.

Truthful

A term used to emphasize the objectivity and honesty of the mirror's reflection.

Four-cornered

The phrase used to describe the physical shape of the mirror in line 5.

Eye of a little god

A metaphor used by the mirror to compare itself to a god that sees all and is powerful, having power over what it reflects.

Meditate

To think carefully about something; here it is personification used to describe the mirror staring at the opposite wall.

Pink

A color mentioned in line 7 associated with women, who are often obsessed with their appearance.

Part of my heart

The way the mirror describes the opposite wall because it is constantly reflected within it.

Flickers

The movement of people between the mirror and the wall that causes the reflection to break or change.

Reaches (depths of the lake)

Literally looking into a lake to see a real image, and figuratively representing self-search and introspection.

Liars

A metaphor referring to the moon and candles because they soften flaws and make wrinkles and scars not clearly visible.

Faithfully

Contrasted with lying, it describes the mirror or lake reflecting the true picture of what the woman truly is.

Agitation of hands

The action of wringing hands anxiously, showing that the woman does not like what she sees in her reflection.

Drowned

The figurative disappearance of the young version of the woman as her physical appearance ages.

Terrible fish

A simile describing the reflection of the old woman, suggesting that aging is ugly and scary, something she cannot escape.

Introspection

The act of looking inward to find oneself, represented by the woman looking into the lake to see what she is like.