Question

Technique: Allusion, hyperbole

Effect on reader:
The holy of holies is a reference to the old religious texts and an inner sanctum where god dwelt with the Ark of the Covenant which contained the ten commandments.
This allusion suggests the writer's father is like the old testament god to her.
Full of rules and very frightening.
Suggests her father's study is a sacred place one which she is not allowed to enter normally.

Answer 1

The question explores the effects of allusion and hyperbole in literature, specifically in the context of the sacred Ark of the Covenant and its symbolic significance of divine power in various religious and cultural narratives.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of the question revolves around the use of allusion and hyperbole in literature, specifically referencing the iconic Ark of the Covenant from religious texts. The student describes the effect on the reader when a writer uses an allusion to the 'holy of holies', suggesting it creates a perception of a character similar to an 'Old Testament god' - a figure of authority and awe.

In acknowledging the Ark's significance and its portrayal in the Coptic version of its tale, Hollywood adaptations, and its symbolic presence in religious settings, the examples provided highlight the Ark's continuous representation of divine power and sacredness.

This symbolism is echoed in other religious contexts, such as the way Jewish homes might use mezuzahs to signify a sacred space, or how the Torah ark represents the focal point in a synagogue, safeguarding the sacred scrolls.

Other examples provided, such as the temple in Jerusalem with its Holy of Holies and its significance in various religious traditions, underline the sense of reverence associated with such sacred objects and spaces.