1. Repetition: This is perhaps the most prominent device. Hughes uses phrases like "Life is fine" and "I'm going to keep on living" multiple times throughout the poem. This emphasizes the speaker's determination to keep going despite hardship.
2. Simile: The poem features a few similes, such as:
* "I'm going to keep on living, I'm going to keep on loving" - This compares living and loving to a continuous action, highlighting their importance.
* "I'm going to keep on laughing, I'm going to keep on singing" - This compares laughter and singing to a source of strength and resilience.
3. Metaphor: The poem also utilizes metaphors, although not as prominently as repetition. An example is:
* "I'm going to keep on going, I'm going to keep on going, 'Til the end of the road." - This portrays life as a journey with a definitive end, suggesting the speaker's commitment to persisting until the very end.
4. Personification: While less explicit, there is an element of personification in the poem. The speaker talks to "Life," giving it a sense of agency and personality. This further emphasizes the speaker's struggle and connection with their circumstances.
5. Imagery: Although not strictly figurative language, the poem uses imagery to create vivid scenes in the reader's mind. For instance, the speaker mentions "the road" and "the end of the road," contributing to the overall theme of perseverance.
Overall, Langston Hughes utilizes figurative language in "Life is Fine" to emphasize the speaker's resilience, optimism, and commitment to living a fulfilling life despite the hardships they face. The repetition, similes, metaphors, and imagery work together to create a powerful and moving poem.