Would "“The chain that bound her here was of iron links..." be a hyperbole? If not, than what literacy device is this?
Not hyperbole.
Was she actually shackled to a post or something by a chain made of iron links?
http://prezi.com/t3awxotu352d/the-scarlet-letter-figurative-language-symbolism/
I assume this is from Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter.
http://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/lit/the-scarlet-letter/chapter-5/
Hyperbole is exaggeration, but there are no actual bounds on Hester. This is comparing two unlike things. Which device makes such a comparison?
To determine if the sentence "The chain that bound her here was of iron links..." is a hyperbole or another literary device, we can break it down and analyze it.
First, let's consider what a hyperbole is. A hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect. It deliberately uses overstatement to make a point, often not meant to be taken literally.
In the given sentence, there is no obvious exaggeration or overstatement. The description of the chain being made of iron links seems to be a literal statement rather than an exaggeration. Therefore, we can conclude that this sentence is not a hyperbole.
Instead, this sentence showcases the use of a specific literary device called a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn't literally true, but helps explain or emphasize a similarity or connection between two different things.
In this case, the sentence is using a metaphor to describe the chain as being made of iron links. It suggests that the chain is strong and unbreakable, emphasizing the difficulty of breaking free from the bond. By comparing the chain to iron links, the sentence conveys the idea of something heavy and restrictive.
To answer your question, the sentence "The chain that bound her here was of iron links..." is a metaphor, not a hyperbole. It uses the metaphor to enhance the description and convey a deeper meaning.