Prompt: Figurative language and imagery
Author: Tara Conklin
In The House Girl the figurative language used was a metaphor. Josephine is a house maid and her master slapped her on the cheek for no reason given. "She nodded, her cheek on fire." This gives me the sense of touch. Since she was slapped she now has that burning sensation on her cheek. Burns usually are tangly. Fire always has that tangly burning sensation therefore the author, Tara, made a metaphor saying that Josephine's cheek is on fire. Though, giving it is a metaphor, it really isn't on fire. The impact it has is the sense of touch and feel.
Another figurative language the book used was a simile. A simile is an explicit comparison. In the book they are explaining Josephine's living conditions. Her home is badly insulated therefore a lot of heat goes in. It would be rough for her to sleep at night. "...the summer nights so hot she'd lie spread-eagle, no two parts of her body touching, her own two legs like strangers in a bed." This shows how hot the nights in the summer would be and how she would be treated as a maid.
I do have to say that the simile is very deep. It makes sense, but yet so unusual at the same time. I have always thought as a slap to have a burning sensation, but I never really compared it to fire, brilliant! Good job!
ReplyDelete