Question

Wiesel's description of himself as "ashes" is an example of which figure of speech? What does the term suggest?

A) Hyperbole, suggesting insignificance
B) Simile, suggesting purity
C) Metaphor, suggesting destruction
D) Personification, suggesting hope

Answer 1

Wiesel's description of himself as 'ashes' is a metaphor suggesting complete destruction or loss, symbolizing a significant reduction of identity or spirit. Option C

Step-by-step explanation:

Wiesel's description of himself as "ashes" strongly evokes the idea of complete destruction and loss. This is an example of a metaphor, where one thing is described as being another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them. It is not a hyperbolic statement, a simile employing 'like' or 'as', or personification, where human qualities are given to non-human entities.

In the context Wiesel might be speaking, the term 'ashes' suggests not only the literal remains after something is burned but also figuratively symbolizes the reduction of his identity, spirit, or humanity to something insignificant or destroyed. Option C