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Allusions In Washing Day

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The tone of lines 1-12 in Barbauld's "Washing Day" can be described as melancholic or resigned. The speaker describes the setting of the poem as "unblest" and "gloomy," with "dullness" and "sadness" pervading the air. The use of words such as "weary," "heavy," and "drear" creates a sense of desolation and weariness. The speaker seems to be preparing the reader for a day of drudgery and hard work, which contributes to the somber tone of the opening lines. In line 22 of Barbauld's "Washing Day," the speaker refers to "last evil" in the context of describing the chaos and disorder that accompanies the washing day. The "last evil" refers to the final task of washing day, which is the ironing of the clothes. Ironing requires a great deal of time and effort, and it is the last step in a long and tiring process. The speaker suggests that ironing is particularly difficult because it requires attention to detail and patience. The phrase "last evil" implies that the speaker sees this final task as a particularly onerous burden, adding to the overall sense of exhaustion and frustration conveyed in the poem. …show more content…

These allusions serve to deepen the meaning of the poem and to connect the struggles of the washerwomen with larger cultural and historical narratives. For example, in lines 51-52, the speaker references "that great flood" which refers to the biblical story of Noah's Ark. The allusion highlights the overwhelming nature of the task at hand, likening the sheer quantity of laundry to the deluge that Noah

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