She was a large woman with a large purse

Question

that had everything in it but hammer and
nails. It had a long strap, and she carried it
slung across her shoulder. It was about eleven
o’clock at night, and she was walking alone,
when a boy ran up behind her and tried to
snatch her purse. The strap broke with the
single tug the boy gave it from behind. But the
boy’s weight and the weight of the purse
combined caused him to lose his balance so,
instead of taking off full blast as he had
hoped, the boy fell on his back on the
sidewalk, and his legs flew up. The large
woman simply turned around and kicked him
right square in his blue-jeaned sitter. Then
she reached down, picked the boy up by his
shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled.
After that the woman said, “Pick up my pocketbook,1 boy, and give it here.” She still held him.
But she bent down enough to permit him to stoop and pick up her purse. Then she said, “Now
ain’t you ashamed of yourself?”
Firmly gripped by his shirt front, the boy said, “Yes’m.”
The woman said, “What did you want to do it for?”. figurative language. highliner. mataphor

Answer 1

In the passage you provided, there are several instances of figurative language and literary devices that enhance the narrative. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Metaphor: The phrase "she was a large woman with a large purse" sets the scene and uses "large" not only to describe the woman's physicality but also to hint at her presence and strength. The purse, described as having "everything in it but hammer and nails," suggests that it is filled with various essential items, painting a picture of a well-prepared woman, perhaps reflecting her caregiver nature or practicality.

2. Imagery: The description of the scene at "about eleven o’clock at night" creates a vivid image of the setting, suggesting a sense of isolation and vulnerability. The contrast between the late hour and her strong presence evokes a feeling of tension.

3. Personification: The phrase “the boy's weight and the weight of the purse combined caused him to lose his balance” gives a sense of agency to the items involved in the incident, attributing characteristics of human-like behavior to balance and weight.

4. Hyperbole: The expression "shook him until his teeth rattled" is an exaggerated way to express how vigorously the woman shook the boy. It emphasizes not just the strength of her actions but also her authority over him in that moment.

5. Direct Speech and Dialogue: The conversational exchanges between the woman and the boy provide immediacy and tension in the narrative, allowing readers to engage with their emotions and the dynamic between them.

6. Symbolism: The purse itself can be seen as a symbol of the woman's independence and self-sufficiency. It represents more than just a bag; it's an extension of her personality and her protection of her belongings.

Overall, the use of these literary devices serves to enhance the themes of strength, vulnerability, and morality within the narrative. The large woman embodies personal power and resilience, whereas the boy’s attempt to snatch her purse can be viewed as an act of desperation or immaturity, ultimately leading to his own lesson learned.