1. Metaphor:
* "Set fire to the rain": This metaphorical phrase alludes to emotional turmoil and a desire to overcome obstacles or challenges despite their seeming impossibility.
2. Personification:
* "Ashes turn to diamonds": Inanimate objects like ashes and diamonds are assigned human-like qualities or abilities.
3. Simile:
* "You were my sunshine": Adele compares the love interest to "sunshine," emphasizing their positive impact on her life.
4. Imagery:
* Throughout the song, vivid imagery is created through descriptions of burning water, pouring rain, thunderstorms, and ashes turning to diamonds.
5. Rhetorical Question:
* "Who could ever leave me, darling? But who could stay?" These questions convey emotions ranging from vulnerability to longing.
6. Antithesis:
* "Cold was the steel of my axe to grind/For promises you've broken": Using contrasting words ("cold", "steel," "promises broken") emphasizes the narrator's feelings of betrayal and pain.
7. Alliteration:
* "And there's nowhere to hide": The repetition of the "h" sound adds emphasis and weight to this line.
8. Refrain:
* "Set fire to the rain": This repeated phrase functions as a chorus, capturing the song's central theme.
9. Climactic Structure:
* The arrangement of the instrumental crescendo coincides with intensified vocal delivery during the final moments of the song, leading to a cathartic resolution.
These literary devices contribute to the emotional poignancy of the song and capture the intense feelings often associated with heartbreak and resilience. They enhance the lyrical expression and create a multi-layered narrative within the music.