Breaking Dawn Analysis

Authors Note: I took sections from the book Breaking Dawn to identify and explain the multiple examples of figurative language and imagery used throughout the passages. 

1.) Humph- (page 20) This is an onomatopoeia because it is a word taking place of an action.

2.) The burning was like grabbing the wrong end of curling iron- (Page 375) This is a simile because it has like in it and is comparing two things.

3.) My arms were dead things lying somewhere at my side- (375) This is a metaphor/personification because it was comparing something without using like or as and because he arms were not actually dead.

4.) The darkness was holding me down- (276) This is a personification because the darkness wasn't actually holding her down.

5.) Burying me in the flames that were chewing their way out from my heart now, spreading with impossible pain through my shoulders and stomach, scalding their way up my throat, licking at my face- (376) This is a metaphor/personification because fire was not inside her body she was just describing it this way.

6.) She slowly smiled- (304) This is an alliteration because all of the words start with the same letter

7.) But now that she’s free of all the blind spots, it’s a piece of cake - (382) This is a metaphor because the author compared two things without using like or as.

8.) She’s going to be dazzling- (383) This is a metaphor/personification because they are comparing the character to something dazzling. Also she cannot be shinny and bright in this situation.

9.) Someone hissed- (383) This is a personification because of the "hissing."

10.) Dry as bone- (384) This is a simile because it has as in it and is comparing two different things.

11.) Pounding to the rhythm of fire- (384) This is a personification because you cannot pound to the rhythm of fire.

12.) My heart took off beating like helicopter blades- (385) This is a simile because it is using like and is comparing two things.

13.)The air whistled down my throat- (388) This is a personification because the air cannot actually whistle down your throat.

14.) How many hours? How many days? How many weeks- (390) This is an anaphora because it repeats the beginning of each sentence.

15.) Luminous as a pearl- (403) Again this is a simile because it is using as and comparing two different things.

Analysis: Throughout the book Breaking Dawn there were many parts where the emotion changed. However, the parts that I took out from the book, most of the tone was painful, and depressing. Using metaphors and similes like “grabbing the wrong end of a curling wand” or “dry as done,” expressing the pain and struggle the character is going through. During this time, they used the anaphora; “How many hours? How many days? How many weeks?” questioning when the torture would be ending. The passages saying “someone hissed” made me think of a personification. Yes, humans can make strange noises, but I felt that in the placing of this was a personification because of the hissing element. The imagery throughout the book and the several examples above you would not be able to make so many pictures in your mind relating to the reading, which would make the feeling not as strong. The figurative language in the book is very strong because there is a variety of examples and the pain feeling would be gone without it.