Final answer:
The phrase 'Hope is the thing with feathers' is an example of a metaphor, where hope is directly compared to a bird with feathers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'Hope is the thing with feathers' from Emily Dickinson's poem represents a direct comparison between the concept of hope and a bird. This is an example of metaphor, where Dickinson likens hope to a bird with feathers that 'perches in the soul.' Unlike similes, which use 'like' or 'as' to make comparisons, metaphors make a direct comparison, implying that one thing is another. Metaphor is a powerful tool in poetry, adding layers of meaning and allowing readers to make intuitive connections.
Personification would imply giving human characteristics to a non-human entity, simile uses 'like' or 'as' for comparison, and hyperbole is an exaggeration for effect, none of which accurately describe the use of language in this line.