Figurative Language in TKMB

Have you ever known anyone who said, "Guess what my house told me today?"  You would probably look at them like they were crazy.  We know that inanimate objects do not breathe; therefore they can not be considered dead.  If this is true why do so many authors apply human characteristics to objects?  Giving objects human traits creates an effect which brings the "writing to life", which causes readers to connect to the story.  

In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird,  this type of figurative language can be found, "Mr. Radley's older son lived in Pensacola; he came home at Christmas,and he was one of the few people we ever saw enter or leave the place. From the day Mr. Radley took Arthur home,people say the house died." (Lee 12).  This quote exemplifies personification.  The house can not die; it was never living.  Houses do not breathe, so, therefore; they can not die.  The phrase means no one "lived" in the house, and the house become rotten, eroded, and unkept.  The house was void of activity, and was looked upon as empty, although inhabitants were present. This example of figurative language creates the author's tone; the Radley house is viewed as a depressing, "lifeless" place in the neighborhood.  By creating this picture, the mood of eeriness and mystery is set for the reader.  Many instances are created like this one throughout To Kill A Mockingbird.

Another example of figurative language can be found on page , "

" (Lee  ).



In order to enable an audience to connect to a literary piece, an author uses many writing techniques and strategies; figurative language is one of the many.  Figurative language relays the author's tone, while setting the mood for the reader.  This language is full of inferences and implications, which cause the reader to add to the story, and feel a part of the book, as they read.  Getting lost in a book, sometimes not wanting to be found--this is what the author hopes happens to the reader when the pages of the literary work are brought to life.

I

Perfect Chemistry

By:  Simone Elkeles

Rating:  4 and 1/2 stars

What the critics say:

Follow this link to find out:  http://simoneelkeles.com/books/perfect-chemistry/

Citation:  Elkeles, Simone. "Simone Elkeles :: NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author." Simone Elkeles. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2015.

What I say:

Sex, drugs, and rock and roll--that is what Alex's life is like before Brittany.  What teennager, boy or girl, doesn't want to read a book with this type of plot?  Perfect Chemistry grabs your attention from the get-go.  The boy from "the wrong side of the tracks" and the girl everyone wants to be both are not what they seem, as this book's riveting plot begins to unravel.  So, if you like reading about teenage drama, you will love this book!  

Book Trailer--Watch to see, if you want to read.  I am sure you will!

Idea Development Check 03.18

Sometimes we are propelled to want something, which could cause harm to another.  Extrinsic motivation pushes some forward; these types of people want a reward for meeting their goal, or sometimes, that goal is the reward. The central character, The Big Bad Wolf, in Little Red Riding Hood is extrinsically motivated; he wants food.  The food he wants happens to be Little Red Riding Hood! As the story states,” The wolf thought to himself: 'What a tender young creature! what a nice plump mouthful - she will be better to eat than the old woman. I must act craftily, so as to catch both.'”   This quote proves the Wolf’s motivation is the delicious morsel which Little Red will be when he gobbles her up.  His wolfish instincts have kicked in--he knows Grandmother is the weaker of the two, but Little Red is the tastier.  Knowing that Little Red will make quite the meal, “a nice plump mouthful”, as the Wolf puts it, Big Bad Wolf decides to do everything he can to get to Grandmother’s house before Little Red.  Here he can catch her off guard and have the meal he so desires.  The Wolf’s motivator is hunger for a delectable meal, which he knows Little Red can provide.  So, he makes a habit of distracting her, while rushing to Grandmother’s house.  In the end, The Wolf wants the ultimate reward--a full stomach from a satisfying meal.