This morning while I was running, shoes smacking the pavement, Venus bright above the spine of the Bear Mountains, and my thoughts pinned to the day ahead, the meetings, the deadlines, the writing I would not do, a deer was hit by a car. It flew in front of me, disrupting the morning stillness, veered close to my chest, and then into the oncoming lane; for a moment, its legs silhouetted against the headlights of the SUV like a shadow puppet. Perhaps a mother scurrying after her baby who had already crossed the street. Perhaps the baby chasing its mother’s tail, too young to know of cars or roads or the way high beams devour your ability to see in shadow.

Question

This morning while I was running, shoes smacking the pavement, Venus bright above the spine of the Bear Mountains, and my thoughts pinned to the day ahead, the meetings, the deadlines, the writing I would not do, a deer was hit by a car. It flew in front of me, disrupting the morning stillness, veered close to my chest, and then into the oncoming lane; for a moment, its legs silhouetted against the headlights of the SUV like a shadow puppet. Perhaps a mother scurrying after her baby who had already crossed the street. Perhaps the baby chasing its mother’s tail, too young to know of cars or roads or the way high beams devour your ability to see in shadow.

could you help identify the figurative language in this

Answer 1

"Shoes smacking the pavement" -- personification

Now ... what can you find?

Answer 2

the SUV like a shadow puppet - simile

Answer 3

"Like a shadow puppet" is a simile, but not comparing the SUV to a puppet. What's being compared to a puppet?

Answer 4

the deers legs

Answer 5

I also see at least two metaphors in here. Have you found them?

http://www.answers.com/metaphor

Answer 6

In the given passage, there are several instances of figurative language used to convey the scene and emotions. Here are a few examples:

1. Metaphor: When the author describes Venus as "bright above the spine of the Bear Mountains," it signifies that Venus is shining brightly in the sky, creating a beautiful visual image.

2. Simile: The author compares the silhouette of the deer's legs against the headlights of the SUV to a "shadow puppet." This comparison creates a vivid mental image of the deer's fleeting presence.

3. Personification: The author suggests that the deer might be a mother scurrying after her baby or the baby chasing its mother's tail. This attribution of human-like qualities to the deer adds depth and emotion to the narrative.

4. Imagery: The author vividly describes the sound of their shoes "smacking the pavement" while they are running, giving the reader an auditory impression of the scene.

5. Symbolism: The mention of the deer being hit by a car disrupts the peacefulness of the morning and serves as a symbol of the unpredictability and darkness that can invade one's thoughts or daily routine.

Overall, these examples of figurative language enhance the reader's understanding and engagement with the emotions and experiences described in the passage.