What type of figurative language is used in the following quote? "If he was hurt, the cowardly worm, she just had to help him."

Question

I don't know what this is.

Answer 1

Tristan,

I just saw your message today. The figurative speech in your sentence, "If he was hurt, the cowardly worm, she just had to help him" is a metaphor.

When the author uses the phrase "the cowardly worm" to describe the hurt person, you and I both know that "he" is not actually shy invertebrate wriggling on the floor. A metaphor is a word or phrase used to describe something differently than it actually is.

For me, I get the image of a classic, second-class villain: an untrustworthy guy who is not brave enough to be accountable for their own actions.

That is the beauty of figurative speech. A good metaphor can bring a whole scene to mind, or invoke a strong emotion, in only a few short words.

Answer 2

Hi Tristan,

I am wondering if your teacher provided a list of literary elements and definitions to help you with this assignment. Knowing the bank of words you are using could help narrow down the correct answer.

"If he was hurt, the cowardly worm, she just had to help him" is comparing the male to a cowardly worm. A metaphor is a figure of speech where two objects are being compared; the qualities of one object are carried over to the other.

Hope that helps