Theres a certain slant of light: In the poem, the speaker uses an extended metaphor and then, later, personification, to discuss elements of nature. How does this contribute to the poem's overall tone and meaning? What are some of the other ways that elements of nature have been generally used in metaphorical ways or given human traits? What purpose have these methods served? Ask students to cite evidence from the text, their own experience, and other literature, art, or history in their answers.