In “The Jacket” by Gary Soto, the use of figurative language and perspective show his feelings towards the jacket and help describe it. In the beginning of the story Gary Soto opens with a statement about how his jacket determined his popularity. Then the reader is then introduced to a description of the jacket that he is hoping to get. He then receives a new jacket which he abhors, which he blames for all of his problems, unable to take responsibility. He also becomes very paranoid that he is being judged and laughed at. As he wears the jacket he slowly begins to accept that it is his new reality and becomes sentimentally attached. Gary Soto uses a comparison to call the jacket “a jacket the color of day-old guacamole.” In the beginning
he resents the jacket and describes in a negative connotation because it evokes the feeling of something repulsive or repugnant. The comparison is also effective because it helps create an image based on the author’s opinion. However, this image may not be accurate because it is based on the opinion which may be biased. Additionally to the comparison he uses a personification. Throughout the book his attitude towards the jacket changes as he learns to accept it. The main idea where this is portrayed is when he calls the jacket “that green ugly brother who breathed over my shoulder that day and ever since.” This quote also uses personification to describe his new feelings towards his jacket. The personification extends the understanding of his new reaction to the jacket by allowing readers to relate to their own lives. Being able to relate different parts of the story allows the readers to feel more deeply with the character and be more interested in the story. Gary Soto also uses a simile along with the personification. By using the simile of “...approached the jacket slowly, as if it were a stranger whose hand I had to shake,” and “ I stared at the jacket, like an enemy...” to describe his reaction to the jacket Gary Soto invites the reader to empathize him. He also uses another simile “ while my teeth chattered like a cup of crooked dice.” All three of the similes are describing an action.
Writing 2 Aidyn Ogilvy: Writing Portfolio I am going to write about a scene from the movie The Shawshank Redemption. I will be using figurative language to put the audience in the shoes of the main lead character Andy Dufrense. My audience will be people who like Stephen King. The scene will be when he escapes the prison. The lights have been turned out.
“A book may be compared to the life of your neighbor. If it be good, it cannot last too long; if bad, you cannot get rid of it too early.” - Henry Brooke. This quote mimics Mark Aiello’s poem, comparing the first chapter of a book to someone’s childhood, or first chapter of life. Also like the quote, his poem explains how the first chapter of a book is very pleasurable, but it does not last long until the disturbing plot comes into play. Mark Aiello’s poem, “Chapter One”, is very literally about the first chapter of a novel. Furthermore, Aiello’s use of figurative language allows the reader to interpret the poem in numerous ways beyond the main idea. While analyzing the poem, the reader is permitted to compare the first chapter of a book to
The title of the short story, “Four Directions” is symbolic for Waverly’s inner misconceptions. As she goes about her life, she is pulled in different ways by her past and her present. She is torn between her Chinese heritage and her American life. She never thought that instead of being pulled in four directions, she could take all of her differences and combine them. In the end she realizes this with the help of her mother. “The three of us, leaving our differences behind...moving West to reach East” (184), thought Waverly. Her whole life she misconceived her mother’s intentions. Lindo never wanted Waverly to solely focus on her Chinese heritage, but rather combine it with her new American ways. The idea of being pulled in four
I finally finished the book Silver written by Chris Wooding. I am glad to say that I enjoyed reading every page! While finishing the book a quote that stood out to me was when all of the kids who are hiding in the school have to escape the building and fire is starting to fill the room. As stated in the text, “The hallways were filling with smoke. Impossible silhouettes flitted across fiery doorways, like capering demons from some medieval nightmare” (Wooding 240). This quote shows how the author uses figurative language to explain in detail how the smoke looked as it was entering the classrooms and hallways. This kind of description helps me get a clear image in my mind of what the characters are going through. From vivid passages such as
Have you ever struggle to get out of a bad situation? In Buried Onions by Gary Soto, the main character is being pressured into avenging his cousin's death but the main character is just trying to let it go and move on with his life. Throughout the book, figurative language has become vital since it is constantly used in every chapter. Figurative language helps the book because it makes the book come alive, gives the reader a point of view of Eddie, the main character, and gives the reader a visual.
Richard Wilbur's use of imagery and extended metaphor in "The Writer" help to reveal the that an individual may run into obstacles, but perseverance will help them reach past them.
In “Queens, 1963”, the speaker narrates to her audience her observations that she has collected from living in her neighborhood located in Queens, New York in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. The narrator is a thirteen-year-old female immigrant who moved from the Dominican Republic to America with her family. As she reflects on her past year of living in America, she reveals a superb understanding of the reasons why the people in her neighborhood act the way they do towards other neighbors. In “Queens, 1963” by Julia Alvarez, the poet utilizes diction, figurative language, and irony to effectively display to the readers that segregation is a strong part of the American melting pot.
In the passage, “The Jacket” by Gary Soto, Gary writes about a boy with an awful jacket that he despises. The passage uses literary elements to give the passage an interesting twist.
In this poem called “Creatures” by the author Billy Collins there are three examples of figurative language helps convey the meaning that the author Billy Collins is conveying. The three examples of figurative language that the author Billy Collins uses are a metaphor, enjambment, and imagery. These three examples of figurative language help illustrate Billy Collins” theme in this poem called “Creatures” that he is writing because these three examples of figurative language help emphasize the theme of the poem. These three examples help emphasize this poem called “Creatures” meaning because it makes the theme of this poem have a deeper meaning. The theme of the author Billy Collins poem called “Creatures” is that the reader has to imagine
Authors use figurative language to express nuanced ideas, those that beggar literal description. Such language provides the author an opportunity to play with his reader’s imagination and sense. A piece of literature that uses figurative language is more intriguing and engaging than a writing that aims only to explain. Ralph Ellison’s use of figurative language in “The Battle Royal” paints a powerful and unique story of oppression and the struggle for self-discovery. His juxtaposition of literal and figural language gave the story a dream like quality, all while creating a profound and vivid image.
The narrator strongly claimed that his clothes have failed him when he recalled the green jacket he wore on his fifth and sixth grade. He believed that instead of looking like a champion, his day-old guacamole colored jacket has embarrassed him that lead him to think it has failed him (Soto, 473). He had actually hoped and requested to his mom a different jacket. It is the kind of jacket that the bikers wear which is black leather and silver stud with enough belts that will make him look brave. But disappointment struck him when he found an ordinary green jacket instead. He stared at the jacket and wanted to cry because to him it was ugly and so big. Moreover, he knew he will have to bear with the fact that he will be wearing that ugly jacket for a very long time. For a brief moment he was still in denial and was expecting it was his brother’s jacket. Acceptance came later since he has no other choice but to wear it. With a heavy heart he slipped into his jacket and decided to head out of the house.
Lizabeth has now planted her own marigold and says “For one does not have to be ignorant and poor to find his life is as barren as the dusty yards of the town. And I too have planted marigolds” (Collier 5) Lizabeth is thinking about her old town and is remembering how bright the marigolds were and how happy they made Miss Lottie, so she decided to plant her own because of the joy and happiness it brought Miss Lottie during a difficult time. Lizabeth wanted to feel the happiness of the marigolds that Miss Lottie felt throughout her life during the Great Depression. Lizabeth realizes she appreciates the marigolds, similarly the narrator in the jacket realizes he appreciates his jacket as well. The narrator in“The Jacket” the theme appreciation is also shown throughout the short story. In “The Jacket” the protagonist does not appreciate his jacket in the beginning of the story, so he lets it ruin his life. The protagonist “wanted to cry. Because it was so ugly and so big and [he] knew [he’d] have to wear it for a long time” (Soto 3). When the protagonist receives his jacket he decides that he hates it so much it will begin to ruin his
Nature contains a simplicity that delights people; it is a natural relief to the soul. Fresh air revives those who have been stifled indoors for too long and awe-inspiring sights like the Aurora Borealis inspire poetry and art. John Updike in “The Great Scarf of Birds” shares a moment that lifts the speaker’s heart through nature. Through figurative language, natural diction, and organization, Updike describes how nature is a balm for the soul.
In this passage, Orwell uses symbolism, imagery, and similes to show the effect the Party has on one’s individual thoughts. “Behind his screwed-up eyelids, a forest of fingers seemed to be moving in a sort of dance, weaving in and out, disappearing behind one another and reappearing again. He was trying to count them, he could not remember why.” Orwell uses the fingers to symbolize the lies the Party tells it citizens by having O’Brien force Winston into believing there are an untrue number of fingers present. Like O’Brien, the Party forces untrue mottos down its members’ throats. “a forest of fingers seemed to be moving in a sort of dance, weaving in and out, disappearing behind one another and reappearing again.” The personification
The short story “Clothes” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is about a young Indian woman, Sumita, and her cultural transition to America that is symbolized by her clothes and the color of her clothes. The traditional Indian attire for a woman is a sari and each one has its own purpose. Her clothes also indicate her progression from daughter, to wife, to woman.