Question

He and his brother are like plum trees that grow crooked over standing pools; they are rich, and o'erladen with fruit, but none but crows, pies, and caterpillars feed on them. What is the author's comparison for the individuals mentioned in the statement?

a) They are like apples on a tree.
b) They are like crooked plum trees.
c) They are like ripe peaches.
d) They are like a blooming garden.

Answer 1

The individuals in the statement are compared to crooked plum trees overladen with fruit, only attracting pests like crows and caterpillars, signifying that while they are wealthy, they do not attract desirable company.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author's comparison for the individuals mentioned in the statement is that they are like crooked plum trees. This metaphor is used to describe people who may be wealthy and have resources (fruit) but are only attractive to those who are harmful or undesirable (crows, pies, and caterpillars), much like a crooked tree that bears fruit but is fed upon only by pests.

Unlike healthy trees that might attract a variety of creatures, these crooked figures fail to attract those who are seen as beneficial or valuable.Comparisons between humans and elements of nature, such as trees and fruits, evoke imagery and characteristics that allow the reader to draw parallels between the two.

Different comparisons serve different purposes. For example, a blooming garden might suggest growth and diversity, while ripe peaches might symbolize allure and abundance. The context of the comparison helps shape the reader's understanding of the characters or themes being described.