ARITS Figurative Language

"Lord if this little old plant don't get more sum than its been getting it ain't never going to see spring again."

symbolism

"Well, the Lord knows, we've put enough rent into this here rat trap to pay for four houses by now."

metaphor

"Yes, life can be a barrel of disappointments, sometimes."

metaphor

"I guess that's how come that man finally worked hisself to death like he done. Like he was fighting his own war with this here world that took his baby from him."

simile

"Well, little boys' hides ain't as tough as Southside roaches. [...] I seen one marching out of there like Napoleon yesterday."

simile

"Mama, you should of seen the rat ... Big as a cat, honest!"

simile

"Much baking powder as she done borrowed from me all these years, she could of done gone into the baking business!"

hyperbole

"Slowly her face sobers into a mask of unhappiness."

metaphor

"Seem like you getting to a place where you always tied up in some kind of knot about something."

metaphor

"Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life -- not it's money."

metaphor

"in my time we was worried about not being lynched and getting to the North [...] and still have a pinch of dignity too."

understatement

"See there ... you are standing there in your splendid ignorance talking about people who were the first to smelt iron"

oxymoron

"Just like they always say about Chicago weather: If it's too hot or cold for you, just wait a minute and it'll change"

hyperbole

"Listen, man, I got some plans that could turn this city upside down"

hyperbole

"Man, I'm a volcano. Bitter? Here I am a giant -- surrounded by ants!

metaphor

"Good night, Prometheus!"

allusion/metaphor

"My -- them steps is longer than they used to be. Whew!"

hyperbole

"And there's a yard with a little patch of dirt where I could maybe get to grow me a few flowers"

understatement

"I want a nice -- simple -- sophisticated girl ... not a poet -- O.K.?"

oxymoron

"You just name it, son ... and I hand you the world!"

hyperbole

"Travis -- we were trying to make Mama Mrs. Miniver -- not Scarlett O'Hara!"

allusion

"Me and Willy was going to go down to Springfield and spread some money 'round so's we wouldn't have to wait so long for the liquor license."

understatement

"What's the matter with you, Walter! When the cat take off with your money be don't leave you no road maps!"

metaphor

"Man ... I trusted you ... Man, I put my life in your hands."

hyperbole

"I seen ... him .. night after night [...] working and working and working like somebody's old horse."

simile

"At times it will seem that nothing changes at all ... and then again the sudden dramatic events which make history leap into the future."

personification

"[Y]es, I want me some yachts someday! Yes, I want to hang some real pearls 'round my wife's neck. Ain't she supposed to wear no pearls?"

symbolism

"Yes -- death done come in this here house. Done come walking in my house on the lips of my children."

personification

"When you starts measuring somebody, measure him right, child, measure him right. Make sure you done taken into account what hills and valleys he come through before ho got to wherever he is."

metaphor

"he finally come into his manhood today, didn't he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain."

simile