Pick three uses of figurative language in the excerpt above and explain in at least 150 words what they mean and how they affect the reader's impression of Calpurnia.
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Answer:
Figurative language is to a writer what a paintbrush is to an artist. That is, you can use it to take something simple or flat and transform it into something multi-dimensional. Figurative language has the ability to be more impactful than literal writing; it can expand readers' interpretations and broaden their imaginings.
Take similes and metaphors - two of the most popular forms of figurative language. Similes make comparisons using the words "like" or "as." For example, "He was fierce as a lion." Metaphors make more indirect comparisons. For example, "After meditating, he was Buddha himself."
You can see how these examples of figurative language give literal meanings a bit of a boost. Instead of using a simile, we could have just said, "He was fierce." Isn't that boring, though? Now, we have an image of a man dominating the room like a lion on the savannah. The same for our zen man. We could've said, "He was very calm." Instead, we're able to conjure up an image of the serene and wise Buddha. Fun, right? Let's get out our paintbrushes and take a closer look\