Simple, Direct Language:
* Wordsworth uses plain language, avoiding complex syntax or figurative language. This mirrors Margaret's simple, direct speech and emphasizes her straightforward, unpretentious nature.
* Example: "She weeps again; and they who saw her last / Told that her face was like a faded flower." This simple description effectively conveys Margaret's sorrow and the fading of her life force.
Repetition and Parallelism:
* Repetition of words and phrases like "she weeps" and "the greenwood tree" create a sense of cyclical grief, echoing the unending nature of Margaret's sorrow.
* Example: "She weeps again; and they who saw her last / Told that her face was like a faded flower, / And that her voice, when she spoke of her dear one, / Was thin, as voices are that are grown weak." This repeated structure reinforces the cyclical nature of her grief and emphasizes the loss of her voice, symbolic of her loss of hope and spirit.
Imagery and Symbolism:
* Wordsworth uses evocative imagery to depict Margaret's emotional state and her surroundings. The natural world, though initially comforting, becomes symbolic of her isolation and the passage of time.
* Example: "The greenwood tree, which often held him close / While he and she were in their happy hour, / Stands in the sunshine, and the gentle breeze / Plays round it, and it makes a pleasant sound; / But she, who often shared his joy, is gone." This contrasting image of the vibrant tree with Margaret's desolation amplifies her loneliness and the contrast between her past happiness and present sorrow.
Emphasis on Sound:
* Wordsworth uses onomatopoeia ("makes a pleasant sound") and descriptions of sounds ("thin, as voices are that are grown weak") to convey the emptiness and stillness Margaret experiences.
* Example: "She weeps again; and they who saw her last / Told that her face was like a faded flower, / And that her voice, when she spoke of her dear one, / Was thin, as voices are that are grown weak." The focus on the thinness of her voice creates a sense of fragility and impending silence, further underscoring her emotional breakdown.
Shifting Tone:
* While the poem begins with sympathy for Margaret, it subtly shifts its focus to a more detached observation, mirroring the way nature, though initially comforting, eventually seems indifferent to her suffering.
* Example: The poem moves from describing Margaret's grief to the beauty of the surrounding nature, which provides a sense of contrast and ultimately creates an undercurrent of detachment.
Overall, Wordsworth uses language in "The Affliction of Margaret" to create a powerful portrayal of grief and loss. The poem's simplicity, repetition, and imagery combine to evoke the depth of Margaret's sorrow and the isolating power of grief, highlighting the stark contrast between her present misery and the happy memories of her past.