Question

there were only a few people and these moved more rapidly as if the film had been sped up. one white faced man in the dark suit looked directly at the children said 'oh dear, i shall be late', and flickered into the building " hes like the white rabbit", meg giggled nervously. what is the type of figuartive language and how is it used

Answer 1

The passage employs an allusion to the White Rabbit from 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' to enrich the description of the hurried man and the setting.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of figurative language used in the described passage is an allusion. This literary device is employed by referencing the White Rabbit character from Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. The passage draws a parallel between the hurried, white-faced man in the dark suit and the iconic White Rabbit, known for his persistent worry about being late. By invoking the image and characteristics of the White Rabbit, the author adds depth to the scene and offers insight into the man's personality and the hurried atmosphere of the setting. The use of allusion enriches the text by connecting it to a well-known story, allowing readers to draw familiarity and added understanding from the reference.

Answer 2

The type of figurative language used in this passage is a literary allusion. The white-faced man in the dark suit is compared to the White Rabbit character from Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" through Meg's reference. The phrase "he's like the White Rabbit" is an allusion to the character, which allows the reader to draw upon their knowledge of the story and understand the comparison being made.

Allusions are used in literature to create a connection between the text and the outside world. By referencing a well-known work or character, authors can add depth and complexity to their writing, and evoke a particular mood or tone. In this passage, the allusion to the White Rabbit suggests that the man is in a hurry and emphasizes the surreal, dreamlike quality of the scene. The use of an allusion can also help the reader to understand the character's personality and motivations in a more nuanced way.