Question 2

10/11/2015

Find and copy down two uses of figurative language (simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, allusion, idiom) in your novel that reveal something about a main character--don't forget the page numbers! Analyze what these two uses reveal about the character and explain why they are important descriptions to the overall plot, theme, conflict, etc. Think: What was the author's purpose in describing the character in this manner? Does the description seem to foreshadow future plot events? What do more do you understand about the character's motivations as a result of the figurative description?

14 Comments

Aiga Petelo

10/22/2015 06:37:46 pm

In my book “Going Bovine” by Libba Bray two forms of figurative language were identified that tells the reader that Cameron is young, and losing his senses faster than he should be. One reason Cameron is young is how people perceive him.” ‘What’re you two li’l scouts doing out here?’”(148) This metaphor shows how the drag queen compares two teenagers (Cameron and Gonzo) to “li’l boy scouts” that are out of their territory or in their no being. The author's purpose in using this metaphor was ultimately show that the world thinks of these two teenagers as little boys that are lost. This description tells the reader that in future events being young can cause trouble for Cameron and Gonzo to go save the world from a black hole. This use of a metaphor tells me that the character will motivate himself to go beyond his regular standards, and put himself at risk to find a cure (for his disease), and save the world.
Another use of figurative language is personification. “My fingers have lost their sound.” (161) This specific example shows how a young person is losing their senses (grip) way faster than they should be. The author's purpose in using personification could foreshadow that Cameron could have difficulties with his hands while trying to complete a very important task. I understand that the character's motivation is to save the world healthier than he was when he got diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (mad cow disease) so he was given a green wristband that was magically blessed so that he didn't have muscle spasms and hallucination’s.
The author also foreshadows that when someone loses their senses that it will be lost forever, and that time is running out when you lose your senses. ”when I go for a bag of Corny Doodles, my coordination goes haywire. My muscle stiffen up; I grab hold of the wire display for support and send the whole roll of chips to the ground.”(243) This quote shows that the green wristband is wearing off and that Cameron is running out of time. All in all these two uses of figurative language affect the storyline, and foreshadow future events. They also reveal two important traits about Cameron.

Aliya Wilcox

10/28/2015 03:58:44 pm

In my book, “Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer” by Katie Alender, there are a lot of examples of figurative language. “They both had wardrobes big enough to stock a Banana Republic store (except they would never shop somewhere so pedestrian).” (19) is an example of a hyperbole. It describes Hannah and Pilar, and shows that they are both rich and have a lot of clothes though probably not enough to stock a whole Banana Republic store. This is important to the plot because though Hannah and Pilar aren’t the heroin in the story, they are main characters so knowing they are rich and spoiled will change their behavior and their choices. I’m not far in the book and have yet to discover the theme and main conflict. “’It’s written all over your face.’” (21) is what Colette’s teacher told her after she is rude and sarcastic (but tries to take it back) when they (Colette and the teacher) are paired to be buddies for the trip to Paris. Colette is the heroin in this book and this example of personification tells us that she is transparent. Her emotions show on her face. Another common way to say this is she is an open book. It is easy to tell what she is thinking even though it isn’t really written all over her face. That will most likely become very important later on in the book but I am only on page 58 of the 292 page book. It could possibly come into play when she meets the serial killer which I suspect she will. Maybe when they meet Colette will tell a lie and she (the serial killer) will be able to tell. It could be an important lie but that is just a prediction. I do know that based on these examples of figurative language, Colette, Hannah and Pilar’s description will be an important aspect in whatever comes next.

Bella Hautzinger

11/8/2015 10:05:23 am

Dear Aliya,
Like in your book "Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer" by Katie Alender, there are a lot of uses of figurative language in my book, "The Red Pyramid" By Rick Riordan. My first use of figurative language is also a hyperbole. "'No.' She closed the door in my face. As if I might rig an explosion in the toilet. Honestly"(3%) Sadie Kane is a bad girl who was just found by police in the British Museum with the Rosetta Stone in pieces from an explosion. This hyperbole tells me that Sadie even though just seeing things she has never seen before, not to mention her father disappearing, is still temperamental. “They both had wardrobes big enough to stock a Banana Republic store (except they would never shop somewhere so pedestrian).” (19) Like in your piece of figurative language showing that Hannah and Pilar are 'rich and spoiled' and this will tell how they will be temperamental further in the book.
Another piece of figurative language you mentioned is “’It’s written all over your face.’” (21), which you interpreted as personification, I would say is an idiom. But this piece of figurative language you said tells us that physically that Colette's emotions can show right through, another way of saying it, like you mentions, like an open book. My piece of figurative language, unlike yours is a simile. "It was like dropping back in time, or onto a Wild West film set."(30%) This may not be as revealing as your piece of figurative language but it is also a subtle way that Riordan wanted to tell us audience that Sadie one way or another has seen old 'Wild West' films or shows. This also subtly shows that even though her own history is all about Egypt and magicians, she is also well rounded when it come to history. Based on these pieces of figurative language I can tell that our stories authors both have ways of revealing things about the characters, even if they are not the biggest pieces to reveal.

Peyton Clark

11/2/2015 06:26:17 pm

In my book "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, figurative language is scattered throughout the book. The figurative language provides a description of the characters feelings and there physical state. For example, "He was so spent from all his crying he looked like a zombie, ghastly white."(166) This is a great simile showing how Harrys emotional state effects his appearance. This shows the theme of distress through the the book and it really backs up Harry proving that he couldn't possibly of killed his parents because of his attachment to them. Another quote that shows the emotions there experiencing is from Tandy, the main character, "Embarrassment was an emotion I'd been shielded from my whole life, either by mood-altering drugs or by simply being sheltered from my peers. Now, humiliation was crippling me." The metaphor used in this quote shows how her new emotions that are being experienced are not treating her very well and she does not really seem to like it. Just so you know a little about the book, the first sentence is talking about some secret drugs her parents were giving her to enhance performance and create the "perfect" child. This quote you are able to see that she feels a lack of protection that she feels without her parents. These emotions further in the story will hopefully help her find herself. I found one more metaphor, " My thoughts were scattered, my focus gone." (316) This is a great example showing Tandy's confusion. I think that Tandy's main motivation in this book is to find and express her feelings more than she could with her parents alive. By dying they gave her a chance to be herself, I am not saying they should of died, but the Angel kids were able to become there own person, by themselves. The figurative language provides a great description of there elaborate roller coaster ride of emotions.

Chloe Williams

11/4/2015 07:16:50 pm

Figurative language is often used to give a more in depth description to a character. In "1984" by George Orwell, the main character, Winston Smith is given a very strong explanation by being compared to other objects. The plot, theme, conflict, and tone are also explained in a different way by the use of figurative language. George Orwell has a very defined purpose in why he compares Winston in these matters and foreshadows what may happen in the future. Winston's reasoning is also described and his motivations are easier to understand when put in such a relatable way.

First of all, "He clung to O'Brien like a baby, curiously comforted by the heavy arm around his shoulders." (207) This use of simile reveals that Winston finally succumbs to the values of Big Brother, after extensive torture and interrogation. This simile portrays Winston as he reaches the final barrier of torture and his eventual appreciation of Big Brother. Even though O'Brien has tortured Winston, Winston still views him as a protector. During the torture, O'Brien sometimes behaves like a comforting adult while Winston is compared to a child. He also performs sporadic acts of mercy in the sense that he lets Winston regain his strength. Doing this, O'Brien arouses a feeling of appreciation in Winston and enhances the image of O'Brien being a tutor and Winston being the student. Winston admits to this subordination and it makes him feel shameful. The themes of power and psychological manipulation are shown in this simile. Winston becomes so manipulated that he feels comforted by O'Brien, which the power of The Party influenced him into feeling. Previously, Winston has trusted O'Brien and even respected him for the privileges he has that Winston doesn't. This is important to the plot because it leaves the reader guessing whether Winston will or will not overcome his hypnosis by The Party. It also shows the reader that Winston was tricked by O'Brien and yet he still feels supported by him. The conflict is intensified by Winston's actions being compared to that of a baby. This tells the reader Winston is confused and may never come back from his brainwash from The Party. Winston even thinks about O'Brien: "He was the tormentor, he was the protector, he was the inquisitor, he was the friend." (204) Winston is very confused. The conflict of Winston questioning the system of The Party has been affected because Winston no longer has this conflict. Winston also had a conflict of not trusting anyone, but this quote tells he trusted O'Brien although he lied to him and tortured him. The author described Winston in this manner to give him a sense of weakness and giving in. It lets the reader know Winston is in need of care. This description also lets me (the reader) predict Winston isn't going to come back from his hypnosis if he's giving in so easily. Winston's motivation to do this is clear because O'Brien is one of the only people he's ever trusted, and that trust was betrayed, leaving Winston helpless. George Orwell explains this simile in a tone of disappointment and defeat by using techniques such as negatively connotation toward the word choice, such as a "baby" or a "heavy" arm.

Another use of figurative language was when Orwell described Winston in this way, "His body seemed to not only have the weakness of a jelly, but its translucency." (148) This use of metaphor reveals that Winston is tired and exhausted. Winston is exhausted because it's Hate Week and Oceania has switched its allies and enemies. Winston has worked a ninety hour work week and has been given a huge amount of work to change due to this switch. This adds to the plot by describing Winston had to work very hard to make a large switch the people could never know about. Hours had to be spent by Winston so he could help The Party lie to the people, which he doesn't believe in. This tied into the conflict of The Party manipulating the people. Their allies and enemies were completely switched. That's ridiculous! The Party was able to switch two places to the exact opposites and make the people believe it was that way all along. The metaphor was also important to the themes of power and psychological manipulation. For example, The Party had the ability to control all of its people into believing they were never at war with Eurasia, yet had always been at war with East Asia. The conflict of war was definitely affected by this because the people now hated different people. There was also a conflict of the government being overpowering that escalated. George Orwell's purpose for describing Winston in this manner was to raise concern and almost pity towards the work he has to do although he disapproved of it. The description does seem to tell me that either Winston will recover or he could possibly become more weak and keep being pushed to the limits by The Party. The quote, "Now it was all over, and he had literally nothing to do, no Party work of any description, until tomorrow morni

Chloe Williams

11/4/2015 07:20:28 pm

*My whole response didn't post, but here's the rest*

morning." (148) leads me to think Winston will have less work and will be given a break. I also think Winston could be underestimating what could be coming next. I think Winston's motivation to follow along with switching the allies was that he would most likely be killed otherwise. The tone of this metaphor is also defeat/pity and the techniques of using a jelly, provides such a negative connotation.

A 'jelly" and a "baby" may not seem like normal descriptions of an adult, but when put into a comparative way, much information is given about Winston and his actions. Weakness and defeat are given by these two comparisons and it provides more information to the reader about element of the story such as the plot and conflict. George Orwell uses figurative language to his advantage in very creative ways.

Sydni Stoffel

11/9/2015 06:21:25 pm

My novel “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher, uses figurative language to reveal emotions, thoughts and their personality through his words. “In those first few words I felt as if every bone in my body had been broken into a thousand pieces. I was one of the reasons why, my peer and at one point friend killed herself. It took a while to sink in, but once it did tears flooded out of my eyes like a rain storm” (62). This reveals a lot about Clays (the main character) feelings towards bullying and self-harm. This is obviously a sensitive subject to him without this passage there is no way I could have figured this out. I can tell that being a kind genuine person means a lot to him by this passage and he is very unhappy with himself because he made a bad decision, he does care and won’t/can’t just brush it off.

The reason I feel Jay Asher uses figurative language is because, without it we wouldn’t know how Clay felt about the situation that is occurring. We wouldn’t know if he was sad or mad for blatantly didn’t care. “I can’t believe it, it’s all my fault. I could have not tried to be the big dog at the party. If I only could have been me, one day I need to realize I’m not the alpha male” (73). An alpha male is often associated with power and authority. I feel this passage reveals that Clay the night of the party was trying to be funny and powerful, when in reality he was only hurting people he once cared for. This reveals that Clay can be a faker and try to be someone he’s not such as the “alpha male”. Jay Asher used symbolism to associate power to clay when he is feeling weak, I would see this as a wannabe alpha male and that is what I feel this passage reveals about Clay. Jay Asher used these figurative phrases to promote the theme of this story. I believe the theme of this story is gray and dark and he uses this play on words to reveal certain things about the tone and the main character clay.

Violet Detwiler

11/9/2015 06:28:38 pm

Authors use many different techniques to describe characters and one common way used in my current book “What Janie Found” by Caroline B Cooney is through figurative language. “’H.J.,’ she said, voice squeezed between her lips like toothpaste, ‘stands for Hunting Jaguars.’ They all knew what H.J. actually stood for” (25). The use of simile (squeezed between her lips like toothpaste) in the sentence reveals a few things about the main character Janie. First, this not only tells us that Janie is very angry and unable to speak the truth in this particular moment but also that she is dealing with a very personal situation that she won’t even share with the people she is closest to which tells us that she is a reserved person who keeps things to herself. This description adds to the overall plot and conflict because a whole new conflict is added to the plot by Janie being kept to herself and not wanted to share information with her friends that is basically already known therefore creating tension between them. Caroline B Cooney used a simile to give the reader a description of Janie because intrigue is added, if the author had flat out said the Janie keeps secrets to herself and is currently angry then the reader wouldn’t have been as interested nor would the reader be able to relate to Janie as much as they would through a simile (figurative language). This quote foreshadowed slightly to the future, where the characters talk more about whatever H.J. stands for. This foreshadowed that because now the reader knows how Janie feels about this topic and will have a stronger understanding and mood towards the subject. The reader now knows more about Janie’s motivations, which are that Janie is obviously not going to confide in her friends about this information so we know that throughout the book she will be trying to solve the conflicts that may occur by herself not through the help of others.

The next pieces of figurative language also describes useful information about a main character. “Janie paced, circling her bed, rearranging pillows as if they were Hannah’s throat” (82). “she pressed her fingers together steeply style so hard Reeve was afraid she would snap them backward and they’d be picking fingers up off the floor” (72). I wrote 2 quotes because the figurative language in both of these show very similar characteristics about the main character Janie. First, these examples both show how Janie is an anxious and angry person who is somewhat controlling and might have slight anxiety. The use of words such as “as if they were Hannah’s throat” and “so hard Reeve was afraid” emphasize Janie’s anger and frustration. The descriptive texts here are important to the conflict because they really just add to any problem currently occurring in the book, meaning that any current conflict will only worsen through this information because it is mostly negative. Caroline B Cooney (author) used this type of figurative language to describe how Janie acts and reacts to situations because like I mentioned earlier it is a lot easier to relate to a character when they are reacting to conflicts the way you (the reader) would have reacted in the situation instead of a brutal statement about their personality. The description through this figurative language doesn’t necessarily foreshadow specific events but it could be foreshadowing to Janie doing negative actions because of the anger revealed in the text. The reader now knows that Janie’s motivations might not always be positive in the future, and the decisions she makes could be based on her anxiety or emotions towards a person or situation.

Sydni Stoffel

11/9/2015 07:34:16 pm

Violet,
In your novel “What Janie Found” by Caroline B Cooney you said Caroline uses figurative language to reveal a lot about the main character. In my novel “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher uses the use of similes and metaphors to get the same result of characters reactions resulting in the reader having a deeper understanding of who the main character truly is, very similar to your book. “’H.J.,’ she said, voice squeezed between her lips like toothpaste, ‘stands for Hunting Jaguars.’ They all knew what H.J. actually stood for” (25). She is dealing with a very personal situation just like you said and is unable to talk to important figures in her life about her struggles this is very similar to my book in that Clay (the main character) feels as if he can’t talk to his mother about the tapes that a dead girl left him. These tapes included why he was a reason why she ended her life. “I heard a knock on the door, I quickly pounced to turn the play button to pause. Mom you scared me! Sorry honey… what’s wrong you seem off? Um, it’s nothing I’m fine. I couldn’t bring myself to tell my mom that I was the reason that a girl killed herself. I lied to my mom’s face, nothing could change that. I swear I could feel the spider crawling up and down my back” (58). Clay couldn’t bare telling his mom the biggest problem he had ever faced and he wanted to face it alone, he didn’t want or need her help… or at least he thought.
I agree to the fact that it is a lot easier to relate to a character when they are reacting to conflicts, without their reactions we wouldn’t know as readers how to react to a certain event. As well in your novel my novel uses figurative language so you can get to know the characters and how they feel about certain things. “Janie paced, circling her bed, rearranging pillows as if they were Hannah’s throat” (82). This passage in your novel really does reveal Janie’s feelings towards Hannah and her frustration, in my novel instead of showing how they make them angry or frustrated it shows how depressed one can be about an occurrence. “I don’t know what I ever did to her, I was always nice, we worked together over the summer, we even made out at a party so what did I do to her. I just can’t believe I am a reason why” (24). Clay doesn’t know how to feel about being a reason why he’s not sure who to blame for this, causing mixed feeling between angry and disappointed in himself. Both of our novels tend to use similes and metaphors to learn about a character, their thoughts and feelings.

Gaby Bowman

12/5/2015 09:43:23 am

When writing figurative language is powerful. It changes things like plot, theme, and even the conflict of a story. The novel “The name of this Book is secret” by Psedonymous Bosch uses similes to start these very changes. Figurative language always has a purpose too. Authors always have their reasons whether it’s foreshadowing or just a motivation.

The first piece of figurative language used in when the author describes Max Earnest. It started as this.“-the first thing you would’ve noticed about Max-Earnest was his hair. Each strand stood on end, as though he was a cartoon character who had stuck his finger in an electrical socket.”(27). This piece of figurative language is so important even if that point isn’t incredibly clear. From the line you understand that Max- Earnest might be a misfit. You learn that characterization and that gives the reader a background that starts out the plot. You realize that Max Earnest needs a friend. And that fact leads to further things. Also the fact that he needs a friend allows him to connect with Cass much easier. And that starts out one of the themes too. Sometimes you can’t do things on your own sometimes you need help. And the character’s description and attributes have made it difficult to have someone else to help. Which also makes the conflict clearer too. Max-Earnest as well as the other character Cass don’t have many friends. Simply, because they’re both misfits.

Another important piece of figurative language is the description of Cass’ uncle’s antique store. It was described as this “-their store was so tight it was like a huge maze with walls of furniture.”(17). This description is important, because it represents more than what it’s saying. The author uses the description of the store as a means of foreshadowing the plot. Because soon enough after the line a mystery starts to enfold. A mystery that makes into a maze. A maze similar to what Max-Earnest and Cass are pretty soon to face. The line also adds to another theme. That life is a maze. That was the author’s purpose to portray the theme that life really can be a maze. The author also gave Max-Earnest such a peculiar description, because that was his characterization something a little strange.

Autumn Detor

12/6/2015 09:29:50 am

In my book, Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans, there are multiple uses of figurative language that help reveal something about the main protagonist, Michael. Though I am not very far into the book, I have already seen that both hyperboles and similes help the reader to better understand the character.
In the book, Evans uses hyperboles to describe how lowly Michael thinks of himself. “Taylor was always nice to me. At first I hoped she was nice because she liked me, but really she’s just one of those people who is nice to everyone. Nice or not, it didn’t matter. She was way out of my league. Like a thousand miles out of my league.” (11). In this example, the reader is subtly told that Michael is not the most popular of people, and that he accepts it. His use of the hyperbole shows that reader that Michael is a shy, quiet person that doesn’t think he could ever “get the girl.” This is an important trait about Michael because it helps to make a later scene—one where Michael gets bullied by a gang of guys—more believable. And considering that the bullying scene is a very large part of the plot, it is clear that Michael’s low self-esteem is important to the overall book.

Another use of figurative language that helps the reader understand the character is a simile. “Anyway, between Mr. Dallstrom and Jack and Taylor, I was blinking like an old neon sign.” (12). By this part in the book, the reader already knows that Michael has Tourette’s disease. Though it can do many different things to a person, it makes Michael’s twitch and blink, and sometimes he makes weird faces without even meaning to. When the reader reads that example, though, they can tell that the principal, the bully, and the girl make his disease flare up. He is a nervous wreck because of the combination of all three of them. This is important to the story because stress and nerves affect people, and the decisions they make. If he is nervous all the time because of these people, then the things he say and the actions he does—which affect the overall plot of the story—will change. If he was not nervous and twitchy all the time, then the plot and conflict of the story wouldn’t be the same as they are.

Richard Paul Evans definitely uses figurative language in the book Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 to help the reader better understand the character. With this, the plot and conflict can more easily be revealed and enjoyed.

Will Smardo

12/9/2015 07:08:20 pm

In my book “The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto” Frankie has passed and his life’s story is told through the perspective of literal music. The book immediately starts out with a piece of figurative language that gives the reader a visual for Frankie’s predicament. It goes like this, “This man’s melody is finished, but his mourners have come a great distance to add a few stanzas” (3). This piece of figurative language is the fourth sentence in this book. It foreshadows his great number of acquaintances when he states that “his mourners have come a great distance”. This means he either died after recently moving or the actual case where he had a big life and influenced a lot of other lives near and far, “By my measure (which is always accurate) Frankie Presto, during his time on earth, played with three hundred and seventy-four bands” (9). This piece of figurative language also emphasizes that Frankie was very musical or had a great influence of it in his life by comparing Frankie’s life to a “melody” and saying that people would like to “add a few stanzas”. Next, it states that Frankie is a wanderer and has been everywhere. “(H)is mourners have come a great distance”, Frankie has lived in a multitude of places, many of his have traveled “a great distance”. It also states the obvious, Frankie is dead, his “melody is finished”. In conclusion this piece of figurative language foreshadows Frankie’s many relations, states his death, and shows that he has traveled great distances throughout his life.
The second piece of literary defining figurative language is “Talent is a piece of God’s shadow, and under that shadow, human stories intersect” (57). This piece of figurative language is later in the book and not nearly as important. I included it though for an important reason. I included it because it says that “(t)alent is a piece of God’s shadow” and that really stands off the page and makes you stop and reflect upon the book. This passage also emphasizes how Frankie has many stories that are existent because of his talent. Anyone who was anyone in Frankie’s life was musically talented, even his father, a blind man, could play with great harmony. Not only do their lives intersect, but they are all musical and full of stories. This tells Frankie has a great gift and that gift will lead him to many other people with his gifts. It shows his life was largely revolved around music, “All humans are musical. Why else would the Lord give you a beating heart?” (4).

Ethan Konrad

12/17/2015 08:26:23 pm

In my book, "Battle of the Labyrinth" By Rick Riordan, there are many uses of figurative languages, such as, "The giant tossed aside the ares cabin's phalanx like rag dolls." this shows how Camp half bloods defenses are weak compared to the offense of Kronos' army. and if they lose this fight, they lose their home so this means a lot to the characters of the story. Another use of figurative language is "The earth rumbled- an earthquake that could probably be felt across every major city in the country." This hyperbole shows that the story is coming to an end. Just like the labyrinth. and shows how the characters have successfully defended their home

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