Figurative Language essays

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Essay on Figurative Language in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'

During the late 1800s women and men were not equal, they lived in a society where women were defined as housewives and were expected to take care of their children and husbands for the rest of their lives. The issue connects with the experience of the narrator in the short story The Yellow Wallpaper, written in 1892 by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, focuses on. Gilman’s main reason for creating this story was to make individuals understand the roles in society during...
5 Pages 2106 Words

Essay on Literary Devices in 'The Bluest Eye'

No matter who we are – our skin color, race, or religion – we are all beautiful. However, society fails to accept that and only portrays white beauty. There is an image of how to be beautiful to fit into society's norms and their category of beauty. Society teaches that beauty is racist, valuing white beauty; white beauty will always be at the top of the social hierarchy. It sets standards for women to look a certain way; if you...
3 Pages 1244 Words

Essay on Juxtaposition in 'The Bluest Eye'

The importance of the symbol that Marigold portrays? The marigold symbolizes the idea that although Pecola, Frieda, and Claudia may work very hard in their community to grow and prosper, it may never happen. The marigold had good seeds, was cared for, and was planted with good intentions, but because of the location where the marigold was planted, it never grew. Ultimately, the marigold symbolizes black suppression, indicating that no matter how hard they try to change things, even against...
4 Pages 2010 Words

Essay on Imagery in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'

Psychological tests observe emotions and behaviors to help diagnose a patient and create a guide for treatment. However, you cannot be assessed correctly because you are not as important, you’ll be treated like a child, and your emotions are automatically invalidated. In the 19th century, that is what women went through when being psychologically evaluated, if a woman were going through depression, it would be dismissed as part of her overactive emotions or pushed to the side because that isn’t...
2 Pages 998 Words

Essay on Homeric Similes in 'The Odyssey'

The Odyssey, an epic poem by Homer that details Odysseus’ quest for homecoming after the Trojan War, is a work that has remained relevant for thousands of years because of its ability to examine and discuss many different important aspects of being human. The hero of the narrative experiences heartbreak, fear, and eventually victory as he completes this decade-long journey. While Homer employs numerous literary forms to tell this famous story, he uses few epic similes. Therefore, the appearance of...
3 Pages 1211 Words

Essay on Imagery in 'The Bluest Eye'

Humankind’s proclivity to racism, intolerance, and bigotry has provoked an outcry from all levels of society. Toni Morrison and Jodi Picoult typify authors who have sought to represent the victim’s voice. In The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison a black African American gives a haunting torturous account of Pecola Breedlove, a child, within a culture dominated by racial segregation and prejudice. On the other hand, Jodi Picoult as a white American delivers Small Great Things as a fast-moving, hard-hitting narrative depicting...
6 Pages 2559 Words

Essay on Dramatic Irony in 'Romeo and Juliet'

Romeo and Juliet, a play written by William Shakespeare based in Medieval Verona during the Elizabethan Era was a play that outlined the tragic romance of two teenagers who risk everything to be together because of their family’s longstanding feud. Baz Luhrman adapted the play to create a modern version based on Venice Beach in Miami in 1996. Luhrman has used Shakespeare’s version of the play as a foundation when creating his more recent version to engage a modern audience...
2 Pages 762 Words

Essay on 'Lord of the Flies' Allegory

Lord of the Flies is a novel by William Golding about a group of boys who are marooned on an island. As the story progresses, the boys slowly transform into savages and lose their civility. The Freudian Theory addresses the three human personalities: id, ego, and superego. The id personality is based on desire and instinct, the ego personality is based on reason and common sense, and the superego is based on what is morally correct. William Golding utilizes his...
2 Pages 1062 Words

Essay on Imagery in 'The Odyssey'

Homer creates a sense of hopelessness and uncertainty in the passage. For example, Odysseus is described as being left in a state of perplexity and distress, which creates a vivid image to the reader of just how confused and uncertain he is. He also says that he 'cannot think of anything better', which suggests he felt helpless in this situation, and creates this sense of hopelessness and doubt in himself and the gods. This makes this an effective passage therefore...
1 Page 461 Words

Essay on Propaganda Devices

”Propaganda is indifferent to truth and truthfulness, knowledge, and understanding; it is a form of strategic communication that uses any means to accomplish its ends” -Walter Cunningham Propaganda is primarily used in today's newspapers, television, and most common social media. However, propaganda has been used in the past at major historical events, such as WW1. Aside from today's technology, we can notice how propaganda was used in art, music, and posters. It is the same thought, the same idea, and...
2 Pages 896 Words

Essay on Metaphors in 'The Odyssey'

The poem titled Ithaca by Constantine Cavafy was written in 1911. In this sonnet, the great poet of all times alludes to the “importance of enjoying the trip, any trip, and not only longing for a journey’s end” (González De León, 2017). This illustration can be extended to a variety of processes in life, save to say that as much as we enjoy the trip “we all want to return home, to Ithaca” (Gonzalez De Leon, 2017) for many reasons....
4 Pages 1740 Words

Essay on Dramatic Irony in 'The Odyssey'

This extract is from ‘Beasts are Rational’ which is part of Plutarch’s collection of essays known as on Moralia. The compilation consists of literary works and touches on political, religious, and ethical issues. The publication date is thought to be around 100 AD. In this text, Plutarch casts an ironic view on human life and behavior, as well as that, the protagonist is a pig named Gryllus. The source of Plutarch’s parody is The Odyssey in which the crew of...
1 Page 501 Words

The Color Purple' Literary Analysis Essay

Alice Walker is one of the most popular figures in those days. Her writings mainly concentrate on their lands and the people, especially women. Her writings give energy and awareness of those days. In the 1970s, women have a lot of suppression in their society. Male dominations have an important role. Women do not express their ideas. But her novels and essays give an awareness of their society. Her works are considered as a classical womanist text. It is full...
8 Pages 3524 Words

Essay on ‘Those Winter Sundays’ Figurative Language

Introduction Robert Hayden's poem "Those Winter Sundays" is a poignant and introspective exploration of a complex father-child relationship. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful figurative language, Hayden captures the nuances of the speaker's emotions and the depth of their connection. In this critical essay, we will delve into the various types of figurative language employed in the poem, analyzing their effects on the overall meaning and impact of the work. Metaphor One of the most striking aspects of...
1 Page 575 Words

Metaphors in ‘The Hate U Give’: Critical Essay

Introduction In the powerful and thought-provoking novel 'The Hate U Give' by Angie Thomas, metaphors play a significant role in conveying the complexities of social issues and personal experiences. Metaphors serve as powerful literary devices that allow readers to grasp deeper meanings, empathize with characters, and critically examine the realities of systemic racism and social injustice. In this critical analysis essay, we will explore the profound impact of metaphors in 'The Hate U Give' and their contribution to the overall...
1 Page 557 Words

‘Those Winter Sundays’ Literary Devices Essay

Introduction In the realm of poetry, literary devices serve as the building blocks that breathe life into the written word, allowing poets to convey complex emotions and ideas. Robert Hayden's poem, 'Those Winter Sundays,' exemplifies the skillful use of literary devices to enhance its themes and evoke a profound emotional response. In this literary criticism essay, we will explore the various literary devices employed in 'Those Winter Sundays' and analyze how they contribute to the poem's overall impact and meaning....
1 Page 572 Words

Irony in ‘Pride and Prejudice’: Essay

“[Austen] began by being an ironical critic; she manifested her judgement of them not by direct censure, but by the indirect method of imitating and exaggerating the faults of her models, thus clearing the fountain by first stirring up the mud. This critical spirit lies at the foundation of her artistic faculty. Criticism, humour, irony, the judgement not of one that gives sentence but of the mimic who quizzes while he mocks, are her characteristics”. That’s Richard Simpson’s assessment, and...
1 Page 643 Words

Essay on 'Young Goodman Brown' Literary Devices

The story entitled Young Goodman Brown is about Goodman Brown himself. The protagonist in the story is Goodman Brown, who was three months married to Faith. He is a religious person who went on an errand, leaving his wife alone. His errand became a journey in a forest where he met an old man holding a staff, which was the devil. It is a journey of choosing between good and evil; a journey that cannot be identified if it is...
1 Page 625 Words

Essay on Figurative Language in 'The Pearl'

On its cosmic pedestal, the sun was like the fire that had sent us out of the sky, only worse. It wore and dried us up in the desert for who knows how long. With twenty other people, it was something like a bad dream. So when it came over the mountains like a cupped hand of salvation, we all dropped to our knees in praise. A rescue helicopter… The use of similes can convey a theme when analyzed. For...
1 Page 539 Words

Foreshadowing in Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery'

All traditions have an intention and a purpose dedicated to the current time period, but it may come to a point where practice is no longer justified. In 'The Lottery', a short story written by Shirley Jackson, a rural town of 300 is 'celebrating' the killing of one member, which is believed to ensure a profitable harvest for the year. Tessie, the main character of the story, is chosen as this year’s winner to be brutally stoned by her own...
1 Page 410 Words

Essay on ‘Of Mice and Men’ Literary Analysis

Introduction William Shakespeare once said, "Expectation is the root of all heartache." This quote encapsulates the central theme of John Steinbeck's novella, "Of Mice and Men," which delves into the pursuit of the American Dream amidst the harsh realities of the Great Depression. Through the use of symbolism and characterization, Steinbeck explores the futile nature of chasing dreams and the inevitable disillusionment that follows. Symbolism of Light and Hope Upon George and Lennie's arrival at the ranch, Steinbeck employs vivid...
1 Page 483 Words

Essay on Verbal Irony in ‘A Modest Proposal’

Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is renowned for its masterful use of verbal irony, employing a satirical tone to critique the socio-economic conditions of 18th-century Ireland. Through this essay, Swift unveils the harsh reality of poverty and starvation while simultaneously mocking the callous attitudes of the ruling class towards the poor. This essay will delve into the intricacies of verbal irony in "A Modest Proposal," exploring how Swift employs this literary device to convey his scathing social commentary. One of...
1 Page 470 Words

Essay on Verbal Irony in ‘Cask of Amontillado’

Edgar Allan Poe, renowned for his macabre tales and mastery of the Gothic genre, utilizes verbal irony to great effect in his short story "The Cask of Amontillado." Through the careful manipulation of language and character interactions, Poe creates a chilling atmosphere of deceit and betrayal. This essay will critically analyze the use of verbal irony in the story, exploring its significance in conveying Poe's themes and message. Irony in Setting and Character Names The carnival setting in "The Cask...
1 Page 446 Words

Essay on Verbal Irony in ‘Harry Potter’

J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series is not only beloved for its magical world-building and compelling characters but also for its clever use of verbal irony throughout the narrative. Verbal irony, characterized by a contrast between what is said and what is meant, adds depth and complexity to the storylines, often serving to highlight themes, character development, and plot twists. In this essay, we will analyze the instances of verbal irony in the "Harry Potter" series and explore their significance in...
1 Page 585 Words

Essay on Verbal Irony in ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’

Introduction In Roald Dahl's short story "Lamb to the Slaughter," the theme of irony pervades the narrative, adding layers of complexity and depth to the storytelling. Through various forms of irony, Dahl challenges readers' expectations and engages them in a tale of deception and unexpected twists. Situational Irony in Mary Maloney's Actions Mary Maloney is initially depicted as a loving and devoted wife, creating an expectation of domestic tranquility. However, the story takes an unexpected turn when Mary murders her...
1 Page 439 Words

Essay on Verbal Irony in ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Introduction William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is a timeless tragedy filled with complex characters, intricate plot twists, and poignant themes. Among the literary devices employed by Shakespeare in this play, verbal irony plays a significant role in enhancing the dramatic tension and adding depth to the narrative. Exploring Verbal Irony in 'Romeo and Juliet' Mercutio's Queen Mab Speech One of the most famous examples of verbal irony occurs in Act 1, Scene 4, when Mercutio delivers his Queen Mab speech....
1 Page 460 Words

Essay on Verbal Irony in ‘The Crucible’

Introduction Irony, a literary device often used to convey subtle meanings or add depth to a narrative, plays a significant role in Arthur Miller's play, "The Crucible." Miller utilizes various forms of irony, including verbal irony, to underscore the dishonesty of the characters and create tension within the narrative. Examples of Verbal Irony In "The Crucible," characters frequently engage in verbal irony by lying about others being witches or practicing witchcraft. These accusations are often made with the intention of...
1 Page 448 Words

Essay on Verbal Irony in ‘The Necklace’

Introduction In Guy de Maupassant's renowned short story "The Necklace," verbal irony serves as a powerful literary device, shedding light on the characters' true intentions and values. Maupassant masterfully employs verbal irony to highlight the stark contrast between appearance and reality, revealing deeper layers of meaning within the narrative. Unveiling Hidden Desires Verbal irony is prominently showcased through the protagonist Mathilde's actions and dialogue. Despite her outward appearance of contentment, Mathilde harbors a profound desire for wealth and social status....
1 Page 498 Words

Essay on Verbal Irony in ‘The Pardoner's Tale’

Introduction Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Pardoner's Tale" is a classic exemplar of medieval literature, rich with elements of irony that add depth and complexity to the narrative. Among the various forms of irony employed by Chaucer, verbal irony stands out as a prominent device, serving to illuminate the characters' motivations and the overarching themes of the tale. The Pardoner's Deceptive Rhetoric At the heart of "The Pardoner's Tale" lies the character of the Pardoner himself, a cunning and manipulative figure who...
1 Page 555 Words

Essay on Figurative Language in 'The Road Not Taken'

Robert Frost was one of America's rare public literary figures' born on March 26, 1874. Frost was the only poet to receive four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. In 1960, President John F. Kennedy presented Frost with the United States Congressional Gold Medal in appreciation of his poetry, which he received in March 1962. Frost’s 'The Road Not Taken,' presented many uses of poetic devices such as imagery, sound devices, and figurative language. I believe The Road Not Taken describes a...
1 Page 440 Words
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