Unit 5

What Can We Learn from Realistic Fiction?

Novel Study Assignment 5-6

The author of the book you chose, appealed to his or her readers' imagination by using figurative language.

The author of Maniac Macgee for example, used a lot of similes, comparisons of two different things using the words "like" or "as".

In Chapter 7 the author wrote: "He was like a shark" when he was describing McNab striking out all the players on the opposing team. In this simile, MacNab’s actions in striking out opponents are compared to those of a vicious shark eliminating its prey one after the other. These descriptive details show McNab’s state of mind; he will eliminate all opposing players in sight.

Simile in the Novel Two Items Compared Meaning of Comparison to Story He was like a shark How MacNab struck out opponents is compared to how a shark eats its prey. MacNab is the strongest pitcher in the area; no batter will survive one of MacNab’s pitches.

In Anne of Green Gables, Anne uses a metaphor when she says, “I’m not a bit changed—not really. I’m only just pruned down and branched out. The real me—back here—is just the same. It won’t make a bit of difference where I go or how much I change outwardly; at heart I shall always be your little Anne, who will love you and Matthew and dear Green Gables more and better every day of her life.” She compares herself to a tree to show her roots are in Green Gables even though she has moved away from home.

In Phantom Tollbooth, the king’s court speaks in idioms, common expressions that are figures of speech.

An example is no rhyme or reason, which means something makes no sense at all. The Phantom Tollbooth also uses personification. Objects, places, ideas, or other things are given characteristics that are really only shown by people. “A friendly, cool breeze slapped playfully at the car, and the long shadows stretched out lazily from the trees and bushes.”