Final answer:
In 'Popularity' by Adam Bagdasarian, examples of figurative language such as metaphors, similes, and imagery are used to enhance the narrative and offer readers a deeper understanding of characters and settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Adam Bagdasarian's short story Popularity, there are several instances of figurative language
that provide depth and insight into the narrative. Here are three examples:
- Metaphors: Metaphors are comparisons that do not use "as" or "like". For instance, if a character is described as having a "stone-cold gaze," the author is not suggesting their eyes are actually made of stone, but is instead conveying the intensity and lack of emotion in the character's look. This metaphor invites readers to experience the character's personality in a more vivid manner.
- Similes: Similes make comparisons using "as" or "like". A character's actions being "as swift as a coursing river" exemplifies a simile. This simile doesn't mean that the character literally moves like water, but it highlights the speed and determination of their actions in a way that's easy for readers to visualize.
- Imagery: Imagery involves using descriptive language to create mental pictures. Describing a scene where "the cicadas hummed nonstop all day, but never loud enough to dull the roar of the leaf blowers" creates a sensory experience that helps the reader hear and feel the environment being described, enhancing the immersion in the story's setting.
Through such literary devices, Bagdasarian not only tells a story but also paints a more intricate picture of the characters and setting, providing a deeper understanding to the reader.