Allusion

In “The Legend,” the poet employs allusion several times. An allusion is a reference within a story to related people, things, events, or stories. Here, the narrator alludes to a painter, a philosopher, and an old legend. These allusions add meaning to the poem, pointing to deeper meanings and enhancing the descriptions.

Straightforward Diction

The diction, or the poet's choice of words, is simple and straightforward in Hongo's poem. The types of words used by the narrator reveal the kind of person he is and the way he sees the world. The Asian man, meanwhile, is poor and plain in appearance, and the poet uses language that is simple and nonornamental to describe him. In this way, the diction aligns with the meanings of the poem.

Visual Imagery and Plot

Through precise descriptions, the narrator evokes images in the reader's mind. Indeed, Hongo relies on a series of...