Gene Stratton-Porter
1 The swamp resembles a big dining-table for the birds. Wild grape-vines clamber to the tops of the highest trees, spreading umbrella-wise over the branches, and their festooned floating trailers wave as silken fringe in the play of the wind. The birds loll in the shade, peel bark, gather dried curlers for nest material, and feast on the pungent fruit. They chatter in swarms over the wild-cherry trees, and overload their crops with red haws, wild plums, papaws, blackberries and mandrake. The alders around the edge draw flocks in search of berries, and the marsh grasses and weeds are weighted with seed hunters. The muck is alive with worms; and the whole swamp ablaze with flowers, whose colours and perfumes attract myriads of insects and butterflies.
Which of these describes a literary technique employed by the author?
Responses
A He uses onomatopoeia to describe the fervent nature of the bees as they feast on the flowers.He uses onomatopoeia to describe the fervent nature of the bees as they feast on the flowers.
B He uses extended metaphor to compare the Limberlost to other North American swamplands.He uses extended metaphor to compare the Limberlost to other North American swamplands.
C He uses subtle personification to capture the experience of the frogs in the pond.He uses subtle personification to capture the experience of the frogs in the pond.
D He uses alliteration to highlight the sounds of the trees along the edge of the Limberlost.
1 answer
The correct response that describes a literary technique employed by the author is:
B He uses extended metaphor to compare the Limberlost to other North American swamplands.
In the excerpt, the depiction of the swamp as a "big dining-table for the birds" suggests a metaphorical comparison between the swamp and a feast, creation of an imagery that evokes a sense of abundance and lively activity. This extended metaphor contributes to the rich imagery of the scene.
