Question

In lines 13–16, "You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations, is an example of

a) Personification that makes the wind seem powerful.
b) A metaphor that makes the wind seem curious.
c) An extended metaphor that makes the wind seem violent.
d) Confusion.

Answer 1

The lines illustrate personification, where the wind is given the human action of prying, suggesting its power as an antagonist.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the lines "You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations," there is an example of personification that makes the wind seem powerful. Personification is a literary device where non-human elements are given human qualities or characteristics. In this case, the wind is endowed with the human action of prying with fingers, implying a sense of force and opposition, much like an antagonist. This technique helps readers empathize with the characters, as the personified wind adds to the struggle they face in reaching their destination amidst challenging weather.

The narrative context often involves the use of the natural world, where elements like the wind are described as 'threatening' and intense enough to 'seize' breath. Contrastingly, flowers like the daffodils are personified, indicating a transformation or healing capacity in the natural world in contrast to the otherwise antagonistic environment.