Question

Read this sentence from Chapter 17 and answer the question.

Okonkwo was popularly called the "Roaring Flame." As he looked into the log fire he recalled the name. He
was a flaming fire. How then could he have begotten a son like Nwoye, degenerate and effeminate?... He
sighed heavily, and as if in sympathy the smoldering log also sighed. And immediately Okonkwo's eyes were
opened and he saw the whole matter clearly. Living fire begets cold, impotent ash. He sighed again, deeply.
What is the author's main purpose in using figurative language in this excerpt?

Answer 1

to imply Okonkwo’s thoughts indirectly

Answer 2

The purpose of the figurative language in the excerpt is to use analogies to represent an idea of masculinity.

Okonkwo is said to be like a "roaring flame", and a roaring flame is supposed to be powerful, a synonym for masculinity.

But he is described as having a son that was "effeminante", and the figurative language used to describe the son is that of "cold, impotent ash" that was left by the "roaring flame" after it stopped burning.