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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 7
Explanation and Analysis—Back to Their Own...:
In Chapter 7, Magid, Millat, and Irie take the bus into central London to give alms to the poor, as one of the pillars of Islam. Just as they are about to get off, an old man makes a xenophobic comment, which the narrator hyperbolically calls "the oldest sentence in the world":
“Our stop!” cried Magid, shooting to his feet and pulling the bell cord too many times.
“If you ask me,” said one disgruntled old age pensioner to another, “they should all go back to their own…”
But this, the oldest sentence in the world, found itself stifled by the ringing of bells and the stamping of feet, until it retreated under the seats with the chewing gum.
Related Themes:
Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—I'd Rather Not:
In Chapter 9, the Iqbal and Jones families gather to watch the fall of the Berlin Wall on television. Samad muses about Mangal Pande, the Indian soldier whose mutiny began the war for independence and his alleged ancestor. When Samad brings up Pande, Irie sighs heavily, which the narrator describes with hyperbole:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“It is not that I disagree with rebellious acts per se. It is simply that if you are to throw over an old order, you must be sure that you can offer something of substance to replace it; that is what Germany needs to understand. As an example, take my great-grandfather, Mangal Pande—”
Irie sighed the most eloquent sigh that had ever been sighed. “I’d rather not, if it’s all the same.”
“Irie!” said Clara, because she felt she should.
Irie huffed. And puffed.
Related Themes:
Chapter 11
Explanation and Analysis—Their 42:
In Chapter 11 the narrator introduces the behaviors and practices of the students of Glenard Oak. None are more important than the widespread, extreme addiction to cigarettes (or, in English slang, "fags"). The narrator hyperbolically describes how important cigarettes are to the students while making an allusion to a classic science-fiction novel:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Smoking was their answer to the universe, their 42, their raison d’être. They were passionate about fags. Not connoisseurs, not fussy about brand, just fags, any fags. They pulled at them like babies at teats, and when they were finally finished their eyes were wet as they ground the butts into the mud.
