The Truth — Flashcards

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The central idea is that words can hurt more deeply and last longer than physical injury. Stones, sticks, bats, and bricks may hurt the body, but harsh words can damage the mind and heart and stay in …

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Words are compared to ghosts because they keep troubling the mind for a long time. This comparison shows that hurtful words do not disappear quickly; they continue to disturb the speaker emotionally.

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Physical injuries caused by sticks, stones, bats, and bricks can heal, but pain caused by words does not go away easily. The poem shows that emotional pain can remain much longer than bodily pain.

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The word words has been repeated six times to emphasize its importance and significance. The repetition makes the reader focus on how powerful and lasting the effect of words can be.

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They describe the words swords. The phrase slant and curved shows that bitter words are sharp and harmful, just like swords, and can pierce deeply into a person's feelings.

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Words are called swords because both swords and unkind words are sharp and hurt deeply. The poet uses this comparison to show that harsh speech can wound a person emotionally just as a sword can wound…

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Mortify means to make someone feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed. In the poem, it shows that hurtful words can cause deep emotional suffering, not just simple pain.

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Haunt means to keep coming to the mind again and again in a disturbing way. The word fits the poem because painful words remain in memory and continue to trouble the speaker.