The Wind in the Willows

by Kenneth Grahame

The Wind in the Willows: 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
Chapter Ten
Explanation and Analysis—Toad's Conceit:

In Chapter 10, Toad sings a boastful song that is described by the narrator using a hyperbole:

'Ho, ho!' [Toad] said to himself as he marched along with his chin in the air, 'what a clever Toad I am! There is surely no animal equal to me for cleverness in the whole world! [...] Ho, ho! I am the Toad, the handsome, the popular, the successful Toad! [...] It was perhaps the most conceited song that any animal ever composed.