Ghalib uses repetition to highlight certain unique messages that every couplet has. Almost all of the poet’s couplets use some form of repetition to emphasize particular messages. The notable examples of repeated word use include Couplet 2’s “hopes … hopes … faithfulness … faithfulness,” Couplet 3’s “committed … committed,” Couplet 6’s “humans to be human,” and Couplet 10’s “finger … fingernail” (Ghalib 594 – 596). The second couplet discusses faithfulness and the poet’s emphasis on “hopes” is rooted in how one cannot know for sure if a partner is faithful – but how one can only hope. The third couplet addresses the consequence of sin and “committed” is repeated to underscore the severity of sinful acts in the societal scope. In the sixth couplet Ghalib uses “human” to convey how people can do great things but also have their vices – implying how humans are wondrous but not perfect whatsoever. The tenth couplet has finger repeat in order to contrast how fingers with henna may be beautiful but in the end fingers can also also result in great physical or emotional pains. Ghalib intentionally repeats select words in his couplets to reinforce his main concepts and make them the source of contrast as well. For example, couplet 3 talks about consequence vs. reward and couplet 6 talks about difficulty and simplicity. The poet takes an interesting, yet effective, approach in conveying his couplets’ expanded themes.

In “Petition: My Salary”, Ghalib uses correlative word association in order to make messages resonate with readers. While doing this, Ghalib also uses strong contrast to emphasize the main points he makes. To elaborate, Ghalib elevates himself and adds reader sympathy to his position by writing “My pen’s a cloud; that rains down pearls” to show that his writing is more valuable than his debtors can appreciate (Ghalib 601 Lines 30-31). To contrast this, Ghalib uses negative connotations against the creditor saying how “I’m [Ghalib] am your slave; and I wander naked” and that his creditors do not treat him fairly (Ghaib 601 Lines 36-37). By using words with positive association, Ghalib advocates for his own poetic talents and positioning against his creditors. On the other hand, Ghalib’s words with negative connotation are used to communicate to readers how his debts make him feel as low as someone who is a slave or is naked.