What literary device is most prominent in this excerpt from Moore's poem, "Silence"?

Answer:

Connotation.

Explanation:

The poem "Silence" is authored by Marianne Moore, in which the speaker reflects on the counsel given by his/her father during childhood, advising silence.

The literary technique evident in this example is connotation.

Connotation refers to the use of language by the writer to imply meanings beyond the literal interpretation of the word. In this context, silence implies deliberately holding back one's feelings, while restraint suggests a forceful suppression of the urge to speak. Thus, in the conclusion of the poem, the speaker conveys that the father's teaching is not merely about choosing silence but about restricting oneself from speaking altogether, indicating a tension between the desire to express and the need to suppress.

Ultimately, the correct answer is connotation.