A transformation that takes place throughout "Mirror" is the personification of the mirror; through personification, the poem transforms a mirror into a speaking, feeling narrator. Then, in the jump between the first and second stanzas, the mirror transforms into a lake. Lastly, the woman in the poem sees herself transforming from a young girl to an old woman.
Questions About Transformation
- How real does the mirror's personification feel for you?
- What is the effect of the mirror's transformation into a lake?
- What role does the passing of time play in the transformations that occur in this poem?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The mirror's transformation into a lake makes the woman's transformation from a young girl into an old woman more vivid.
The transformation, through personification, of an inanimate mirror into a talking narrator, makes the poem's discussion of appearances more interesting.