Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Metaphors and Similes

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Metaphors and Similes

The dark veined green leaves in Mr. Ages’ sack

The imagery of the veined green leaves that Mr. Ages’ has in his sack is brought out through the direct comparison to mint: It held a number of small plants, all of them the same kind, with stringy roots and dark, veined green leaves that looked like mint. The use of the simile facilitates the development of an image in the reader’s mind and thus facilitates a deeper conception of the appearance of the veined green leaves.

The disappearance of the last bit of wire

The disappearance of the last bit of wire is brought out through the particular employment of a simile which enables an understanding of how this happened: A little later the last bit of wire disappeared behind them like a thin black snake.” While enhancing imagery, the comparison of the wire to a thin black snake enables a conception of its size.

Mrs. Frisby’s ignorance

Mrs. Frisby’s ignorance is brought when it becomes apparent to the reader that she is indeed unaware of the appearance of a river even though she had heard about it: “She had heard of the river, of course, but had not known that it looked like a snake. The simile brings out Mrs. Frisby’s ignorance while also enhancing the imagery of a river by likening it to a snake.

The dead wood

The living conditions of the Owl and specifically the chamber in which Mrs. Frisby steps into implies impoverishment. This is perceivable as the narrator notes that the room: was not really a floor at all, but only the jagged ends of dead wood sticking up from below, like stalagmites in a cave.” The comparison of the dead wood projecting from the chamber’s floor enhances imagery.

The falling branch

The ease with which the branch falls is likened to a swinging door, a language use technique that enhances imagery: The branch yielded easily, rather like a swinging door.” In this way, a more profound understanding of the smoothness with which the branch fell is perceivable.

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