Figurative

Language
Meanings
Directions:

Read and compare both paragraphs.

Answer the questions that follow.

 Example: Chapter 3
Original Text:
“The flames of the burning shelter rumbled like a freight train and sucked at the air. Thick smoke poured from the
doorway and boiled upward from the blaze. Still Cole kept laughing like a madman.”

Summary:
The fire continued to burn. Smoke was coming from the door of the shelter and the fire, but Cole
kept laughing.

1. Why did the author choose to write the figurative language?

The author chose to write figurative language here to compare the fire to a train because it was so loud and
a person who is desperately trying to breathe in air. The fire was huge, but Cole didn’t care and kept
laughing.

2. Did the figurative language Add Humor, Characterization, Show Emotion, or Add Mood / Tone?

This figurative language adds to the mood of fury because of the setting that is described.
 Paragraph 1 - Chapter 1
Original Text:
“Two men accompanied Cole on this final leg of his journey. In the middle sat Garvey, the
gravelly-voiced, wisecracking Indian parole officer from Minneapolis. Garvey said he was a
Tlingit Indian, pronouncing Tlingit proudly with a clicking of his tongue as if saying “Klingkit.”
He was built like a bulldog with lazy eyes. Cole didn’t trust Garvey. He didn’t trust anyone who
wasn’t afraid of him.”

Summary:
Garvey and Cole were there for the end of his journey to the island. Garvey was a Tlingit Native
American parole officer who wasn’t afraid of Cole, and Cole didn’t like that. .
1. Why did the author choose to write the figurative language?

The author is comparing Garvey to a bull because it shows how Wise Garvey is.

2. Did the figurative language Add Humor, Characterization, Show Emotion, or Add Mood / Tone?

It adds Charaterization to Garvey being Wise.

Paragraph 2 - Chapter 1
Original Text:
“What angered Cole most after this latest arrest were his parents. In the past they had always come running with a
lawyer, offering to pay damages and demanding his release. They had enough money and connections to move
mountains. Besides, they had a reputation to protect. What parent wanted the world to know their son was a
juvenile delinquent? All Cole did was pretend he was sorry for a few days till things blew over.”

Summary:
Cole was very angry about his parents after his arrest. Before, they had quickly offered to get him released
from the detention center. They had a lot of power, and they had a reputation. As a result, Cole would just
act like he was sorry and all would be forgotten

1. Why did the author choose to write the figurative language?

The author is comparing the Wealth to moving Mountains. The author chooses this to show that
Cole's parents are very wealthy to move an immovable object. They might use their wealth for
reputation

2. Did the figurative language Add Humor, Characterization, Show Emotion, or Add Mood / Tone?
 Paragraph 3 - Chapter 1
Original Text:
“Cole couldn’t believe his parents were letting this happen to him. What jerks! He hated his
parents. His mom acted like a scared Barbie doll, always looking good but never fighting back or
standing up to anyone.”

Summary:
Cole was angry at his parents and couldn’t believe they let him stay at the center. His mom had always
been non-confrontational.

1. Why did the author choose to write the figurative language?

To compare Cole's mother to an afraid Barbie Doll because his mom is afraid about her reputation and
possibly her Husband.

2. Did the figurative language Add Humor, Characterization, Show Emotion, or Add Mood / Tone?

This adds to Characterization about Cole's Mom being scared about her status being ruined or again
just her husband.
Paragraph 4 - Chapter 1

Original Text:
“Cole nodded obediently, like a little puppy that would follow every rule and jump through any
hoop. When he reached the island, that would all come to a screeching stop. Then he would
prove to the whole world he was nobody’s fool.”

Summary:
Cole did what he was told. When they arrived on the island, he would prove that he would not be taken
advantage of.

1. Why did the author choose to write the figurative language?

To compare Cole to a puppy that shows he understands the idea by Garvey, or he's doing it to show
Garvey he doesn't care on the inside but on the outside cares.

2. Did the figurative language Add Humor, Characterization, Show Emotion, or Add Mood / Tone? This
adds the Tone apathetic. It shows Cole dosent care on the inside, but on the outside he has to Care.
 Paragraph 5 - Chapter 2
Original Text:
“Edwin smiled slightly. “If death stares you straight in the face, believe me, son, you’ll get
scared.” He pointed to a tall plant with snakelike branches. “This island is covered with Devil’s
Club. Don’t grab it or hundreds of tiny thistles will infect your hands and make them swell up
like sausages.””
Original Text:
Edwin told Cole that if he was in a life or death situation, he would be scared. He pointed to the Devil’s Club
plant nearby, and then he warned Cole that if he touched the plant, the plant would infect his hand and make
it swell.

1. Why did the author choose to write the figurative language?

2. Did the figurative language Add Humor, Characterization, Show Emotion, or Add Mood / Tone?
Paragraph 6 - Chapter 2
Original Text:
“This was called Circle Justice, but it was no different than being in a jail. Once again he was being
abandoned by people who wanted to get rid of him. His parents were probably glad he was a million miles
from their world. They wanted him locked up like a caged animal.”
Summary:
Cole felt trapped in Circle Justice. He felt abandoned, and he knew his parents were glad he was there,
far away where he couldn’t get out.

1. Why did the author choose to write the figurative language?

2. Did the figurative language Add Humor, Characterization, Show Emotion, or Add Mood / Tone?
Paragraph 7 - Chapter 3
Original Text:
“COLE STARED SULLENLY into the fire, then let his gaze wander. He had wanted revenge but felt
little joy from this act. Overhead eagles drifted on the air currents. In the bay, a mother seal
played with her spotted pups as a golden sun peeked through the gray overcast and glinted off
the waves. “This place sucks!” Cole mumbled as the breeze drifted sparks upward like
wandering stars. He stared back into the crackling, red-hot flames, and his anger burned.”
Summary”
Cole stared into the fire. He looked around, but he felt nothing as he saw the eagles flying, a mother seal
playing with her pups, and the sun which lit up the ocean in the distance. “This place sucks!” he said angrily
as the fire continued to burn.

1. Why did the author choose to write the figurative language?

2. Did the figurative language Add Humor, Characterization, Show Emotion, or Add Mood / Tone?
Paragraph 8 - Chapter 3
Original Text:
“His wild laughter mocked the world and everyone he had ever known. It mocked the loneliness.
It mocked every bully that had ever picked on him. He laughed at every time he had ever been
teased, every time he’d been arrested, every time his parents had argued. He laughed at all the
times he’d been beaten by his drunken father, or been ignored by his drunken mother.”

Summary:
He laughed at everything around him and everyone he had known.

1. Why did the author choose to write the figurative language?

2. Did the figurative language Add Humor, Characterization, Show Emotion, or Add Mood / Tone?