Bangle Sellers: Themes, Form and Poetic devices (Figures of Speech)

Bangle Sellers: Themes, Form and Poetic devices (Figures of Speech):

Key Themes

Indian folk life

The folk theme is prominent in most of Sarojini Naidu's poems and is prominent even in 'The Bangles Sellers.

Bangle sellers were a common sight at the time this poem was written. Like salesmen in small Indian towns and villages, the bangle sellers called out to people, enticing them with their wares. In addition, the bangles are described as being sold at a temple fair, which is a relatively common event in rural India. The bangles themselves are of religious and symbolic importance in the lives of Indian women.

Phases in a woman's life

The entire life cycle of the Indian woman from childhood to old age is described in the poem. While the second stanza of the poem focuses on the innocence and joy of a young girl's life, the third one talks about the emotions of a bride. The final stanza deals with a mature woman.

Besides the physical development, the growth of the feminine psyche is also mapped. This is done by associating various colours of bangles with the various important stages in a woman's life.

Literary Style:-

Form

"The Bangle Sellers' is a lyrical poem made up of four stanzas, where each stanza is devoted to one theme.

While the first stanza establishes the context of the poem, the remaining three stanzas describe the different colours of bangles on sale.

Rhyme scheme

The poem has a consistent rhyme scheme - aabbcc. This skillful use of rhyme scheme adds to the rhythm of the poem.

Imagery

'The Bangle Sellers' is a fine example of Naidu's ability to bring alive the sights and sounds she describes. In this poem, the use of colour imagery is the most striking. Readers can easily visualise the multicoloured bangles available on sale, as well as natural elements like the 'mountain mist' and 'new born leaves'.

Also note how the poet uses several words that conjure up a picture of shining bangles.

Who will buy these delicate, bright Rainbow-tinted circles of light?

Like her bridal laughter and bridal tear.

Symbolism

The colours mentioned in the poem not only evoke vivid images, but also function as symbols.

Soft colours, like those of the mist or of flower buds, are symbolic of freshness, innocence and purity, Red stands for love and passion. In the Indian context, it is also a symbol of marriage..

Purple symbolises authority and dignity, while grey symbolises maturity.

Another symbol is the corn field, which denotes fertility.

Figures of speech

Naidu has used several figures of speech in this poem.

Simile

There are several examples of similes or direct comparisons in the poem. For instance, in these lines, the colours of bangles are being compared to the colours seen in nature.

Silver and blue as the mountain mist,

Some are flushed like the buds that dream

Some are like fields of sunlit corn,

Metaphor

In this line, there is an implied comparison where colourful bangles are being compared to a

rainbow.

Who will buy these delicate, bright

Rainbow-tinted circles of light?

The poet also indirectly compares the multi-hued bangles to the blissful lives of daughters and wives. Lustrous tokens of radiant lives

Alliteration

Here are some other figures of speech used in the poem.

Some are meet for a maiden's wrist,

Silver and blue as the mountain mist,

Or, rich with the hue of her heart's desire,

Repetition

For happy daughters and happy wives

Like her bridal laughter and bridal tear.

Personification

Some are flushed like the buds that dream