The phrase 'the gale had begun to moderate' indicates that the windstorm was lessening in intensity, which can symbolize a turning point in a narrative or serve to change the mood of a scene.
The phrase 'the gale had begun to moderate' means that the intensity of the windstorm, or gale, was decreasing. In the context of weather, to moderate is to become less in degree or intensity.
When understanding this phrase in literature or narrative texts, it may not only reflect a change in weather but also a shift in the character's circumstances or the mood of the narrative.
For example, in a story, if a character is facing hardship or conflict while the gale is occurring, the moderation of the gale could symbolize a turning point where the situation starts improving or the conflict begins to resolve. Conversely, a gale becoming moderate could also be used to set a calmer scene or contrast against earlier tension.
The probable question may be:
How does the phrase 'the gale had begun to moderate' function as a literary device, and what symbolic significance could it carry in a narrative?