Final answer:
The line in question is an example of a simile, a figure of speech used to compare the girl's voice to a natural sound, indicating its beauty in the boy's perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
The line, "The boy listened to the sound of her voice, and thought it to be more beautiful than the sound of the wind in the date palms," is an example of simile. This literary device is frequently used to compare two different things in order to highlight a particular quality or characteristic of one thing by comparing it to another, recognizable thing.
In this case, the boy is comparing the beauty of the girl's voice to the soothing, natural sound of the wind in the date palms. This simile functions to create a vivid mental image and to convey a sense of beauty and peacefulness to the reader.
Similes are a common tool used in literature to evoke emotion and provide a clear picture by drawing a parallel between two distinct things. The comparison is typically initiated with words like 'as' or 'like'.
The boy's internal comparison reflects his admiration for the voice, which he finds enchanting, perhaps even more captivating than the tranquil and familiar rustling of leaves. This use of simile enhances the narrative by enriching the sensory experience of the reader and adding depth to the boy's perception.