Final answer:
Figurative language in literature, including similes, metaphors, personification, and epiphanies, adds depth and meaning, helping to convey themes and character struggles in a more evocative and relatable way.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Figurative Language in Literature::
The figurative language present in various literary texts serves to enrich the narrative by providing depth and adding layers of meaning. When writers include elements such as similes, metaphors, personification, and epiphanies, they create imagery that appeals to the senses and evokes emotional responses from readers. For instance, comparing a character's actions to a squirrel, as Twain does, illustrates a vivid and relatable picture that mere description cannot achieve. Similarly, personifying poverty as "a formidable enemy" effectively conveys the relentless nature of financial struggles.
Such literary devices also help to portray themes and characters in a more relatable and memorable way. Describing the old man with an "immense, an indestructible illusion" captures the essence of his internal struggle and the disconnection from reality in a powerful, metaphorical manner. The emphasis on the duality of appearance and reality in the description of Roderick Usher's house further illustrates the decay and loss of vitality in a manner that resonates with the reader.
'The Old Man Dreams' and other works utilize these techniques to evoke stronger connections with the reader, diving deeper into the human experience and offering a more profound understanding of the narrative through enhanced descriptive language. The richness of figurative language transforms the act of reading from a passive endeavor into an active engagement with the text.