their eyes were watching god

THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GODSTANDARDS FOCUS: FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE In order to enhance a piece of literature, writers will often

use figurative language, or figures of speech. Figures of speech-language that communicates ideas

beyond the literal meaning of words. There are many types of figures of speech: allegory, irony,

hyperbole, etc. For the purpose of this exercise, we will focus on three types of figures of speech.

• Metaphor-a comparison between two seemingly unlike things

• Simile-a comparison of things of using like or as• Personification-giving human qualities or characteristics

to inhuman objects

ACTIVITY 1For each of the examples, indicate which figure of speech is being is used, then analyze the example to find the meaning.EX: “Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered”Figure of Speech: simileAnalysis: The author is comparing Janie’s life to a blooming tree. Like the tree which is growing new leaves, Janie is also growing, learning more, and discovering who she is as a woman.

ACTIVITY 1

For each of the examples, indicate which figure of speech is being is used, then analyze the example to find the meaning1. “The rose of the world was breathing out smell. It

followed her through all her waking moments and caressed her in her sleep”

2. “The panting breath of the breeze”3. “Nanny’s head and face looked like the standing roots of

some old tree that had been torn away by storm”4. “Nanny’s words made Janie’s kiss across the gatepost

seem like a manure pile after a rain”5. “Put me down easy, Janie, Ah’m a cracked plate”

THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD STANDARDS FOCUS: CONFLICT

CONFLICT • Conflict is a literary term indicating the struggle between

two or more opposing forces. • There are several types of conflict in literature.

MAN VS. MAN• Struggle between two or more characters

MAN VS. HIMSELF• Struggle between a character and his conscience, morals,

or physical limitations.

MAN VS. NATURE• Struggle between a character and a force of nature such

as weather or the environment.

MAN VS. SOCIETY• Struggle between a character and the rules, beliefs, or

pressures of a society or community.

MAN VS. FATE• Struggle between a character and the “forces” of the

universe, such as God, destiny, or chance happenings.

EXTERNAL CONFLICTS• Man vs. man• Man vs. nature• Man vs. society• Man vs. fate

INTERNAL CONFLICT• Man vs. himself