Literary Analysis Of No Man Is An Island By John Donne
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There is a great deal of irony, we as mankind, often experience throughout our lives. Though there are billions of us living on this planet, we find ourselves feeling lonesome. In the poem, "No Man Is an Island", John Donne describes that, even though an individual can feel alone, they are a part of a greater whole, creating mankind. Even if an individual seems of less importance, "every man is a piece of the continent." Using the literary devices, extended metaphor, alliteration, and allusion, Donne paints a picture on how humanity is one, no matter the individual or their status, every person is an important part to our society, and we should cherish them. Donne 's used extended metaphor in almost every line of his poem. He compares mankind and the individual to natural land structures found on Earth, including a clod, continents, a mainland, and many others. In lines (1-3) Donne states, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." He describes every man as a part of the continent, meaning every human is a part of a bigger picture, called humanity. Many people today struggle with self-worth, depression, and anxiety, causing them to attempt to become islands. Donne states in lines (5-8), "If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend 's or of thine own were." Donne uses the word clod to describe a man with lower status or some may view as