Final answer:
The question pertains to the literary technique of comparing characters to animals to highlight certain traits or changes in perception within the narrative. Such comparisons offer readers deeper insight into characters' personalities and their emotional or spiritual journeys.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the comparisons made between animals and people within various pieces of literature. These animal comparisons are used by authors to draw parallels between the instinctual or natural qualities of animals and the characters in the story. In literature, characters compared to animals can illuminate their innate traits, behaviors, or status in the environment of the narrative. For instance, when a character is compared to a bird, it may suggest qualities such as freedom, fragility, or the ability to see things from a higher perspective. Alternatively, comparisons to creatures like toads or snakes might evoke a sense of groundedness, cunning, or transformation.
One example given from the question highlights the comparison of Mrs. Hale to a bird, which underscores her sweetness, prettiness, but also timidity and flutteriness. Another instance describes how the stars once thought of as friendly and inviting, now frighten the character, highlighting a shift in perception. Through such comparisons, the writers convey complex emotional states, personalities, and transformations of characters, thus enriching the narrative and creating a multifaceted reading experience.