A Critical Examination of Personification and Simile as Literary Devices in Muhammad Zaman’s Poem “Freedom Is in Chains”

Abstract

Figurative language refers to the use of words and expressions that convey meanings beyond their literal sense to enhance imagery, emotional depth, and interpretive richness in literary texts. Through devices such as simile and personification, poets articulate abstract ideas in concrete and relatable forms. The present study critically examines the use of personification and simile in Muhammad Zaman’s poem “Freedom is in Chains.” The study is guided by two research objectives: first, to identify and analyze instances of personification and simile in the poem; and second, to interpret the thematic significance conveyed through these figurative devices. The findings reveal that Zaman employs personification and simile to construct a powerful critique of freedom as an illusion constrained by religion, culture, language, geography, and sociopolitical structures. These figurative expressions reflect themes of moral conditioning, ideological confinement, identity formation, and existential tension. Ultimately, the poem presents freedom not as physical liberation but as a complex awareness of imposed boundaries, offering a nuanced reflection on individuality, control, and silent resistance.