Figurative Language In Irving Layton's Rhine Boat Trip

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You Can Not Escape The Past In Irving Layton’s poem “Rhine Boat Trip” Layton describes what he sees while coasting down the Rhine River. Layton uses figurative language to reflect on the tragedies on of the Holocaust; pointing out that despite the beauty of the scene, he can only remember the horrors that happened there. Firstly, Layton gives the reader a glimpse of the scene he is traveling through. He begins by telling the reader of the castles, vineyards, and railroads he crosses while on his path. However, this quickly takes a grim turn with his focus shifting to the past rather than the present. It seems that every structure he views while traveling down the river comes with a back-story that is not pleasant. As Layton’s focus shifts