Final answer:
The phrase 'His eyes empty like knot holes in a fence' employs a simile, a type of figurative language that compares two different things using 'like' or 'as'. This creates a vivid image and conveys an empty or emotionless state.
Step-by-step explanation:
The literary device used in the phrase 'His eyes empty like knot holes in a fence' is a simile, which is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the connective words 'like' or 'as'. This comparison helps to create a vivid image in the reader's mind and can add depth to the character's emotional state, in this case, suggesting hollowness or a lack of emotion. The phrase paints a mental picture that allows the reader to visualize the character's eyes as devoid of life or expression, similar to the empty spaces where knots once were in a wooden fence. Similes are a common form of figurative language that writers use to articulate imagery and ideas in a way that is more evocative and relatable to the reader.
In literature, imagery and figurative language are tools used to create pictures in the mind of the reader. They engage the reader's senses and can convey emotions and moods. Note that figurative language includes symbolism, metaphors, and personification as well. When analyzing such phrases, it's beneficial to consider how they make us feel and what they reveal about the characters or setting.