Literary Terms by Cali Gurnicki
A Dark and Stormy Night
Similie- When something is compared to another thing using the words 'like' and 'as'.
It was a low, dull, quick sound - much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. The old mans heart sounded like a watch enveloped in cotton. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=watches&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=oe2BOItQu2AR5M&tbnid=hGaD5h-DMBcpFM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.businessweek.com%2Fss%2F06%2F05%2Fwatches%2F&ei=B7AKUZasMdL2rAG39oH4BA&bvm=bv.41642243,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNEre21YU8TgcWNC5XZ2mX8O4MzZxA&ust=1359741313673191
Metaphor- when two different things are compared that have something in common.
He had the eye of a vulture - a pale blue eye, with a film over it. The old man really didnt have the eye of a vulture, it just had a resemblance. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=vultures&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=62zGi9TIy1MzfM&tbnid=0qxX1jFkiBc9CM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Flionking.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FVultures&ei=gK4KUfa7M4n7qAHGsoDgBA&bvm=bv.41642243,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNHDqqV5LVsJlKj6scdUl4IB0BY4Qw&ust=1359740906539753
Personification- when an object or animal is given human traits.
It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Ideas cant physically haunt someone. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=BrBoMYmuhXNjXM&tbnid=Aac82aUVhyoeQM:&ved=0CAcQjB0wAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fclipart-23604.html&ei=lbIKUbnKIdLOyAHS3YD4BQ&psig=AFQjCNEraaLHCaTjFZIAF30syCwAG-wJiQ&ust=1359741973574828
Similie
"Ugh! It's like moist black velvet." Hes saying that the night was moist and black like velvet. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=black+velvet&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=ENDA49uoILkqIM&tbnid=MJhw_feFI52VfM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsupermarkethq.com%2Fproduct%2Fblack-velvet-circle-scarf&ei=v7MKUejcGc-rqQGp8YCICA&bvm=bv.41642243,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNENiPIONsbEzIPc-SnmlnomtE9BYg&ust=1359742259362681
Metaphor
...and Rainsford stood blinking in the river of glaring gold light that poured out. The light coming from inside isn't really a river of gold, the author is just comparing the two things. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=light&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=PLpA1dJ6Hcmy3M&tbnid=iPUjriWo4oNtcM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffinkorswim.com%2F2012%2F10%2F11%2Flight-it-up-a-guest-post%2F&ei=NfgPUZjzNIjQqgHEkIHADQ&bvm=bv.41867550,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNGmq-MYDKNv18XuTA6JeCCsqNlCeQ&ust=1360087474780508
Personification
"Can't see it," remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht. The weather cant press its self on the yacht. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=tropical+yacht&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=kpPJfdA1nFwWhM&tbnid=qpDfwpBvrmxKUM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.123rf.com%2Fphoto_11598791_tropical-scenery-with-yacht.html&ei=QLMKUdCxB5ORqwGZg4GYBg&bvm=bv.41642243,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNGD_J1edaAAvMVMakkroVWFeBQOlw&ust=1359742125462404
Similie
As I wished, it twisted in my hands like a snake. The old man is comparing the monkeys paw actions to be like a snake. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=rvnp0VPV44n2dM&tbnid=nS5c8t8rSfFWBM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domyownpestcontrol.com%2Fsnakes-c-179.html&ei=3vYPUbD4NsfKrQHs8IGYCQ&bvm=bv.41867550,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNG1GvTghhQHa2AlTmXN9bzbLklKfg&ust=1360086277503169
Metaphor
He was stone, stone dead. The author is explaining how he was as dead as a stone which is nonliving. http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/spongebob-squarepants/images/21699878/title/rock-icon
Personification
...but the wash from the speeding yacht slapped him in the face... It may feel like a slap, but waves cant literally slap you. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=wake&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=co738TfdgjwxnM&tbnid=rZZ0HBTGMP78sM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.susannaliller.com%2Ftodays-journey-note-131%2F&ei=jvYPUdTSKoGIqwH3roH4Bw&bvm=bv.41867550,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNEwS102DEa-xkMk1xJGcgkgTiDx6A&ust=1360087047251957