Define onomatopoeia and provide an example from a literary work.

Define onomatopoeia and provide an example from a literary work.

Onomatopoeia is a literary device that refers to the use of words that imitate or resemble the sounds associated with the objects or actions they describe. It is a technique used by writers to create a vivid and sensory experience for the readers.

An example of onomatopoeia can be found in Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Bells." In this poem, Poe uses onomatopoeic words to mimic the sounds of different types of bells. For instance, the line "How they clang, and clash, and roar!" uses words like "clang," "clash," and "roar" to imitate the loud and resonating sounds of bells. Through the use of onomatopoeia, Poe enhances the auditory experience of the readers, allowing them to hear the sounds of the bells in their minds as they read the poem.