It is emphasized further by the use of an ellipse. For instance, the transitions between the final line of stanza two and the first of stanza three. One has to move forward in order to comfortably resolve a phrase or sentence. Enjambment forces a reader down to the next line, and the next, quickly. It occurs when a line is cut off before its natural stopping point. For example “baked” and “bag” in the first stanza and the general repetition of “wasn’t” in the second stanza.Īnother important technique commonly used in poetry is enjambment. The latter, alliteration, occurs when words are used in succession, or at least appear close together, and begin with the same sound. These include anaphora, enjambment, and alliteration. Seuss makes use of several poetic techniques in this poem as well. For example, there are several endings that rhyme with “you,” one of the most frequently used words in the book. The rhyme scheme throughout the poem is more consistent in some places than others. Seuss is a simple, three- stanza poem that is stretched over the sixty-four pages of the children’s book. Structure and Poetic Techniques in Happy Birthday to You! If they weren’t born as they are they might’ve ended up as a bag of tomatoes or a toad in a tree, or worst of all, a “wasn’t!” The poem concludes with the speaker asking the reader to wish themselves a “Happy Birthday!” and always remember that they are special because there is no one else like them in the world. There is no one like them in the world and that’s something to be happy about. These remind the reader that they are lucky to be who they are and they should appreciate it. The poem follows the Birthday Bird and a series of celebratory images. Seuss addresses the reader asking them to celebrate themselves and take joy from simply existing as they are.

Dr seuss happy birthday book