Kade and Lula took slow, careful steps. All around them, the moonlight kissed the red ivy. The ivy stretched out, strangling the garden bench, the fountain, and the gate—taunting them with its omnipresence. How could they possibly get around without touching it? A few droplets of chilly rain splattered down. Each icy drop seemed to say, “Hurry, hurry. You don’t have long.” In 3–5 sentences, explain how the author used figurative language to create a specific effect. Make sure to explain what kind of figurative language the author used and the effect it had. Provide samples from the text to support your answer.

Answer 1

The author employs personification and vivid imagery to enhance the tension and urgency of the scene. For instance, the ivy is described as "strangling" the garden bench, fountain, and gate, which personifies the plant, suggesting it is almost alive and actively threatening Kade and Lula’s progress. Additionally, the droplets of rain are attributed with human-like qualities, as they seem to say, “Hurry, hurry. You don’t have long,” which intensifies the sense of urgency and impending danger. This combination of personification and imagery immerses the reader in a foreboding atmosphere, emphasizing the claustrophobic presence of the ivy and the pressure of time on the characters.