Final answer:
Figurative language, including similes and metaphors, is used to create vivid imagery and engage the reader's senses and intellect, allowing them to draw deeper connections with the text.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question about a simile in an excerpt from Isaac and Casey demands an understanding of how figurative language enhances text. This type of language, which includes metaphors and similes, creates vivid imagery and engages the reader's senses and intellect. When an author uses a simile, like comparing someone's actions to a squirrel, they don't just tell us what is happening; they show us through a comparison that conjures a strong visual or conceptual image. This imagery invites readers not only to see the action but to feel the emotion and energy behind it. Similarly, in poetry, such as in the example provided where chaos is likened to a mix of joy and screaming, the reader can almost hear and feel the disruptive yet thrilling nature of chaos. The use of similes and metaphors allows the reader to draw connections from their own experiences to what is being described, thus creating a deeper engagement with the text.