Although at times he worked in constant darkness from morning until night, he always had his thoughts on the setting sun. Like the obelisks in Naples, the setting sun was a constant image that pursued him while awake and asleep. One afternoon after getting his pay, he went to his room in the bachelors' quarters, packed a small duffel bag and followed the sun to the West Coast.

Question

How does the author use figurative language to describe the sun in this excerpt?

A. the author uses a metaphor to compare the sun to something unlike it.
B. the author uses metonymy to associate the sun with something closely resembling it.
C. the author uses personification to give the sun's actions human qualities.
D. the author uses synecdoche to use part of the sun to refer to its whole.

Answer 1

In the excerpt, the author refers to the sun in a way that evokes its significance and influence over the character’s thoughts and actions. The phrase "the setting sun was a constant image that pursued him while awake and asleep" suggests that the sun is more than just a celestial body; it is an omnipresent idea tied to the character’s desires and dreams.

Given this analysis, the most accurate answer is:

C. the author uses personification to give the sun's actions human qualities.

This choice highlights how the sun is portrayed as something that "pursues" the character, suggesting a relationship and emotional connection that attributes human-like qualities to it.