Directions: In three to five sentences, write an analysis of the short story

Question

• Interpret two figures of speech used in the short story. (1 pt)
• Make sure to identify the word or figure of speech used in the short story. (1 pt)
• Explain the deeper meaning of the figures of speech with text evidence (2 pts)
• Paragraph should be written in complete sentence format and free of errors. (1 pt)
In a small fishing village nestled along the rugged coastline, there was an annual fishing contest
that drew anglers from far and wide. Among the competitors were two old friends, Tom and Harry,
who had been rivals since childhood. As they prepared their gear on the dock, Tom boasted to
Harry, "I'm going to catch the biggest fish this year, no doubt about it. You might as well throw
your line in the water and give up now! The Whopper of the West has my name written all over it."
As the contest got underway, the fishermen scattered along the shore, casting their lines into the
deep blue sea. Tom and Harry each found their own spots, determined to outdo one another.
Hours passed, and the sun climbed high in the sky, casting a golden hue over the sparkling
waters. Yet, despite their efforts, neither Tom nor Harry had caught anything worth boasting
about.
Frustration began to mount as the hours ticked by. Tom grumbled to himself, "Well isn't this the
best Sunday ever!" Just as soon as Tom reeled in his line to call it a day, Harry saw his bobber go
under. Harry struggled with the massive trout on the other end of the line, shouting as he reeled in
his excitement!

Answer 1

One figure of speech used in the short story is the phrase "The Whopper of the West has my name written all over it," which is an example of personification. This phrase gives the big fish a sense of identity and ownership, emphasizing Tom's confidence in catching the biggest fish. Another figure of speech used is the expression "casting their lines into the deep blue sea," which is a metaphor for trying their luck or making an attempt. By using this metaphor, the author creates a vivid image of the fishermen in action. These figures of speech deepen the meaning of the story by highlighting the competitive nature of the fishing contest and the frustration and eventual excitement experienced by Tom and Harry.