Literature Michael April 6, 2015 SIFT and SOAPStone Analyses of The Parable of the Old Man and the Young by Wilfred Owen SIFT Symbolism: One of the most crucial symbols in the poem is the old man, Abram. He metaphorically represents the ruler or controller of European countries who were willing to kill his citizens, the seed of Europe, in order to protect the ?pride? of nations. Imagery: The poem creates a significant image in which the old man is killing his son with iron and knife for the nation?s pride. Figurative Language: Alliteration is proven to be widely used in this poem, like the sentences begin with ?and?, ?Isaac? and ?But?, ?Behold?. Besides, the author also arranged a technique called assonance.