What figurative language does the excerpt use?

Question

"So, to Coney me and Tobin went, thinking that a turn at the chutes and the smell of the popcorn might raise the heart in his bosom. But Tobin was a hardheaded man, and the sadness stuck in his skin. He ground his teeth at the crying balloons; he cursed the moving pictures; and, though he would drink whenever asked, he scorned Punch and Judy, and was for licking the tintype men as they came."

Answer 1

The excerpt employs several forms of figurative language:

1. Personification: The phrase "the sadness stuck in his skin" gives human characteristics to sadness, suggesting it is a tangible presence that clings to Tobin.

2. Imagery: The mention of "the chutes," "the smell of the popcorn," "crying balloons," and "moving pictures" creates vivid sensory images that evoke the sights and sounds of a lively fair or carnival.

3. Alliteration: The repetition of the "c" sound in "crying balloons" and "cursed the moving pictures" adds a musical quality to the text.

4. Metaphor: The comparison of Tobin's mood to a physical weight or burden can be seen as a metaphor for how sadness can affect a person's demeanor.

5. Hyperbole: The statement "he scorned Punch and Judy, and was for licking the tintype men" exaggerates Tobin’s disdain for the entertainment around him, emphasizing his deep-seated unhappiness.

These elements work together to convey a strong emotional atmosphere and to highlight Tobin's struggle against his feelings in the face of a potentially joyful environment.