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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
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—The Troop :
Mitchell uses hyperbole in a lightly satirical passage that describes the young men of North Georgia as they prepare for the Civil War, assembling into an amateur militia called The Troop:
The Troop met twice a week in Jonesboro to drill and to pray for the war to begin. Arrangements had not yet been completed for obtaining the full quota of horses, but those who had horses performed what they imagined to be cavalry maneuvers in the field behind the courthouse, kicked up a great deal of dust, yelled themselves hoarse and waved the Revolutionary-war swords that had been taken down from parlor walls [...] There was no need to teach any of the men to shoot. Most Southerners were born with guns in their hands, and lives spent in hunting had made marksmen of them all.
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Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis—Southern Hospitality :
In a passage that lovingly satirizes Southern cultural conventions, Mitchell employs hyperbole in her description of White Southerners taking extremely long visits to family members:
Unlock with LitCharts A+When a Southerner took the trouble to pack a trunk and travel twenty miles for a visit, the visit was seldom of shorter duration than a month, usually much longer. Southerners were as enthusiastic visitors as they were hosts, and there was nothing unusual in relatives coming to spend the Christmas holidays and remaining until July. Often when newly married couples went on the usual round of honeymoon visits, they lingered in some pleasant home until the birth of their second child. Frequently elderly aunts and uncles came to Sunday dinner and remained until they were buried years later.
Chapter 22
Explanation and Analysis—Melanie in Labor :
Mitchell employs hyperbole in a scene in which Scarlett attempts to assist Melanie through a lengthy and difficult childbirth:
Unlock with LitCharts A+She felt as if she had been in this steaming, dark, sweating place all her life. She wanted very much to scream every time Melanie did [...] Once Wade came tiptoeing up the stairs and stood outside the door, wailing.
“Wade hungwy!”
Scarlett started to go to him, but Melanie whispered: “Don’t leave me. Please. I can stand it when you’re here.” So Scarlett sent Prissy down to warm up the breakfast hominy and feed him. For herself, she felt that she could never eat again after this afternoon.
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