Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry Figurative Language Chart
Introduction
"Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" is a novel written by Mildred D. Taylor, published in 1976. The book is set in Mississippi during the Great Depression and follows the story of a young African-American girl named Cassie Logan and her family. Throughout the novel, Taylor uses various literary devices, including figurative language, to convey the themes and messages of the story. In this article, we will explore the figurative language used in "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" through a figurative language chart.
Metaphor
Metaphors are comparisons between two things that are not literally the same, but share common characteristics. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses metaphors to describe characters, events, and emotions. For example, when describing the Logan family's determination to stand up to racism, she writes, "The Logans rose like a phoenix out of the ashes of their burned home" (Chapter 1). This metaphor compares the Logan family to a phoenix, a mythical bird that rises from the ashes of its own destruction, emphasizing their resilience and strength.
Simile
Similes are comparisons between two things using "like" or "as." Like metaphors, similes are used to create vivid imagery and convey complex ideas. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses similes to describe characters, settings, and emotions. For example, when describing the Logan family's poverty, she writes, "The land was like iron, and the crops like dust" (Chapter 1). This simile compares the harshness of the land and the crops to iron and dust, emphasizing the difficulty of farming in their community.
Personification
Personification is when human qualities are given to non-human objects or animals. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses personification to create a sense of empathy and connection between the reader and the characters. For example, when describing the Logan family's fear of the Ku Klux Klan, she writes, "The night was dark and full of whispers that crawled through the trees like snakes" (Chapter 3). This personification of the whispers as snakes creates a sense of danger and unease, emphasizing the threat of violence that the Logan family faces.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an exaggeration used to emphasize a point or create a dramatic effect. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses hyperbole to emphasize the severity of the racism and discrimination faced by African-Americans in the South during the Great Depression. For example, when describing the Logan family's fear of the Ku Klux Klan, she writes, "They'll burn your house down and kill everyone in it!" (Chapter 3). This hyperbole emphasizes the extreme violence and hatred of the Klan, creating a sense of urgency and danger.
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of multiple words in a sentence or phrase. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and flow in her writing. For example, when describing the sound of the family's feet as they walk to school, she writes, "Their feet made a soft, shuffling sound on the packed dirt road" (Chapter 1). This alliteration of the "s" sound emphasizes the quiet and peaceful nature of the scene.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is when a word imitates the sound it represents. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses onomatopoeia to create a sense of realism and sensory experience in her writing. For example, when describing the sound of the rain on the Logan family's roof, she writes, "The rain pattered against the roof like tiny feet" (Chapter 3). This onomatopoeia of the rain as "pattering" creates a sense of peacefulness and comfort, emphasizing the safety and security of the Logan family's home.
Imagery
Imagery is the use of descriptive language to create sensory experiences for the reader. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses imagery to create a vivid and realistic portrayal of life in the South during the Great Depression. For example, when describing the Logan family's home, she writes, "The house was old, with dark, rough wood and a tin roof that gleamed silver in the moonlight" (Chapter 1). This imagery of the house emphasizes its age and weariness, creating a sense of history and tradition.
Symbolism
Symbolism is the use of objects, colors, or other elements to represent abstract ideas or themes. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses symbolism to explore the themes of racism, discrimination, and social justice. For example, the fig tree in the Logan family's yard is a symbol of hope and resilience. When the tree is struck by lightning, Cassie is devastated, but her father reminds her that the tree will grow back stronger than ever. This symbolizes the strength and resilience of the Logan family in the face of adversity.
Irony
Irony is when the opposite of what is expected happens. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses irony to highlight the injustices and contradictions of the society in which the characters live. For example, when Cassie's teacher punishes her for refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white student, she tells Cassie, "You'll understand when you have children of your own." This statement is ironic because Cassie's teacher is assuming that Cassie will grow up to accept the same injustices that she is facing, when in fact Cassie is determined to fight against them.
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is when an author hints at what is to come later in the story. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses foreshadowing to create suspense and anticipation in the reader. For example, when Cassie sees T.J. Avery stealing from the store, she feels uneasy and tells him to stop. This foreshadows the later events in the story, when T.J. becomes involved in a serious crime and the Logan family is forced to confront their own values and beliefs.
Flashback
Flashbacks are scenes or events that occur before the main narrative of the story. In "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Taylor uses flashbacks to provide context and background information for the characters and their experiences. For example, when Cassie's father tells her the story of their family's land and its significance, he is providing a flashback to an earlier time in their history, emphasizing the importance of their heritage and traditions.
Conclusion
Through the use of various literary devices, including metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia, imagery, symbolism, irony, foreshadowing, and flashback, Mildred D. Taylor creates a powerful and evocative portrait of life in the South during the Great Depression. The figurative language chart provided in this article helps to illustrate the many ways in which Taylor uses language to convey complex ideas and emotions, and provides a valuable resource for readers and students of all ages.