Introduction

　　Poetry has long been celebrated as a form of expression that delves into the deepest parts of the human experience. Within poetry lies a plethora of literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, and personification, that serve to enhance a poems power and meaning. One of these literary devices is the use of plurals in poetry. In this article, we will explore the different ways that poets use plurals in their work to create a range of effects and evoke various emotions.

　　

1. Creating a Sense of Unity

　　One of the most common uses of plurals in poetry is to create a sense of community or unity. Many poems use the plural form to express a collective identity or shared experience among a group of people. For example, Langston Hughes famous poem "I, Too" utilizes the phrase "We, too" to express the collective experience of African Americans in the face of oppression.

　　

2. Highlighting Differences

　　Plurals can also be used to highlight differences within a group or society. Poets may use plurals to showcase the distinctions between groups of people based on race, gender, or any other societal construct. For instance, in Gwendolyn Brooks "We Real Cool," the repeated use of the phrase "We/Thin gin" emphasizes the speakers separation from mainstream white society.

　　

3. Amplifying Emotion

　　Another way that poets use plurals in their work is to intensify emotion. Plural forms can amplify feeling or sentiment by creating an impression of magnitude or vastness. For example, in Walt Whitmans "Song of Myself" he frequently uses the first-person plural pronoun "we" to convey the expansiveness of human experience.

　　

4. Expressing Ambiguity

　　Plurals can also be used to express ambiguity or uncertainty, particularly when it comes to identity. Some poets may use plural forms to suggest the possibility of multiple identities existing simultaneously within a society or group. In Claudia Rankines "Citizen: An American Lyric," she employs the plural form in her depictions of everyday racism, emphasizing how pervasive and widespread the issue is across American society.

　　

Conclusion

　　From creating a sense of unity to expressing ambiguity, plurals in poetry can serve a wide range of purposes. By utilizing this linguistic device, poets can evoke a variety of emotional responses and encourage readers to engage more deeply with their work. The different ways that poets use plurals are a testament to the versatility and richness of poetic language, as well as the power that words have to shape our understanding of the human experience.