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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—A Full-Grown Grizzly:
After a group of Socs jumps Ponyboy at the start of the novel, Darry is beside himself with anger. Unlike Ponyboy, Sodapop is not afraid to tease Darry in this moment, something that Ponyboy explains with a hyperbole:
Darry stared at him for a second, then cracked a grin. Sodapop isn’t afraid of him like everyone else and enjoys teasing him. I’d just as soon tease a full-grown grizzly; but for some reason, Darry seems to like being teased by Soda.
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Chapter 12
Explanation and Analysis—Hundred of Boys:
After Ponyboy finds Johnny's letter hidden in his copy of Gone with the Wind, Ponyboy wants to challenge the plight of the greasers. With a hyperbole, Ponyboy articulates his desire to help other boys like him find beauty in the world and brighter days in their future:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Suddenly it wasn’t only a personal thing to me. I could picture hundreds and hundreds of boys living on the wrong sides of cities, boys with black eyes who jumped at their own shadows. Hundreds of boys who maybe watched sunsets and looked at stars and ached for something better. I could see boys going down under street lights because they were mean and tough and hated the world, and it was too late to tell them that there was still good in it, and they wouldn’t believe you if you did.
Related Themes:
