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Figurative Language In Eleven By Sandra Cisneros

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In the short story, “Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros the narrator Rachel has a mortifying eleventh birthday. She was at school like any typical day however, Rachel’s teacher, Mrs. Price found a hideous and repugnant red sweater that had been in the coat room since earlier in the year. While trying to figure out who the ugly sweater belonged to Sylvia Saldivar claimed it to be Rachel’s. Rachel denies it being hers but the teacher does not believe her and she is forced to wear it. This event causes Rachel to feel many emotions. Cisneros uses imagery and figurative language to illustrate what Rachel is feeling. The author uses imagery to illustrate Rachel’s emotion. Rachel was disgusted by the red sweater. She described the sweater as smelling like “cottage cheese.” This portrayal allows the reader to smell the pungent …show more content…
Rachel described the sweater before Sylvia claimed it to be Rachel’s. She said that the sleeves were so stretched out that they were like a “jump rope.” The comparison of the sleeves to a jump rope gives the impression that it is old and been worn numerous times. This depiction of the red sweater would explain why Rachel is so repelled by it. Originally, Rachel didn’t even want to touch the sweater. She pushed the red sweater to the side of her desk with her ruler and she compares it to a “big red mountain.” This allows the reader to picture a huge mound of red material on top of Rachel’s desk. When the image comes to the reader it is intimidating especially to a small child. This allows the reader to sympathize for Rachel because of how she is being tortured by this sweater. She wants to be so far away from the sweater that she makes it flow over the edge of her desk similar to a “waterfall.” This simile allows the reader to feel how revolted Rachel is to the sweater. She cannot even stand for it to be touching her desk however, she is forced to wear

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