Question

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they used in a text,including

figurative meanings.
In paragraph 1 of "A Quilt of a Country," the author uses a simile, or a comparison. She says
that the United States " was built of bits and pieces... like the crazy quilts that have been one of
its great folk-art forms, velvet and calico and checks and brocades." What does the comparison
mean about the United States?"

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

In the article "A Quilt of a Country", author Anna Quindlen uses a simile to attribute a certain quality to America. She compares the country to a quilt. A quilt is formed by patching together dissimilar parts. In the same way, America is formed by dissimilar people - all sorts of cultures, races, beliefs, origins, etc. However, just like the quilt, even though the parts are so extremely different, they stay united. Especially in times of war, in times of fear, there is something that keeps the pieces, the people together. The quilt has its thread, and so does America - be it a common enemy or a common ideal.