Question

Review the passage. The simile is shown in bold.

The opening under the fence had caved in and I had to pull the rocks away before we
could crawl through. Night came, but the earth still rose and fell like a great
animal breathing. I could hear rocks tumbling from the cliff, falling down into the sea.
All night as we lay there in the house the earth trembled and rocks fell, yet not the big
one on the headland, which would have fallen if those who make the world shake had
really been angry with us.
From Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins. Copyright 1960 by Scott O'Dell
What is the effect of the simile on the passage's meaning or tone?
It contributes to a light-hearted tone.
It contributes to a bitter tone.
It contributes to a menacing tone.

Answer 1

The simile 'the earth rose and fell like a great animal breathing' creates a menacing tone by personifying the earth with the qualities of a living, powerful creature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The simile 'the earth still rose and fell like a great animal breathing' in the passage from Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins enhances the passage's meaning and tone by likening the movement of the earth to the rhythmic breathing of a large creature. This comparison evokes a sense of the earth being alive and somewhat unpredictable, which contributes to a menacing tone rather than a light-hearted or bitter one. It underscores the earth's power and the character's vulnerability in the face of natural forces, emphasizing the wild and possibly dangerous environment in which the characters find themselves.