Question

The speaker, and the schoolmaster, and the third grown person present, all backed a little, and swept with their eyes the inclined plane of little vessels then and there arranged in order, ready to have imperial gallons of facts poured into them until they were full to the brim.
​How do the metaphors comparing the students to “little vessels” (paragraph 4) and “little pitchers” (paragraphs 6 and 21) impact the passage?

Responses

The metaphors emphasize that the students are very young.

The metaphors emphasize that the students are very young.

The metaphors illustrate that the students are being treated with care.

The metaphors illustrate that the students are being treated with care.

The metaphors highlight that the students are eager to learn.

The metaphors highlight that the students are eager to learn.

The metaphors reinforce that the students are being told what to think.

The metaphors reinforce that the students are being told what to think.

Answer 1

The metaphors reinforce that the students are being told what to think.

They present the children as passive receptacles to be filled with facts by authority figures, emphasizing receipt of information rather than active inquiry.