Cat in the Rain
by Ernest Hemingway
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Cat in the Rain: Hyperbole 1 key example

Definition of Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations intended to emphasize a point... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements... read full definition

Key Examples in Cat in the Rain

Hyperbole
Explanation and Analysis—Likable Hotel-Keeper:

When the wife leaves her hotel room in order to go rescue the cat in the rain outside, she walks past the hotel-keeper. Here, the narrator captures her reaction to the hotel-keeper, using hyperbolic language and imagery in the process:

He stood behind his desk in the far end of the dim room. The wife liked him. She liked the deadly serious way he received any complaints. She liked his dignity. She liked the way he wanted to serve her. She liked the way he felt about being a hotel-keeper. She liked his old, heavy face and big hands.