I have sought most closely and diligently, and often in my breast, for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness of those I loved and I could not find one. A pure love of my country and of the principles have often advocated before the people and “the name of honor that I love more than I fear death” have called upon me, and I have obeyed.
Which of these best describes one purpose of this paragraph?
Group of answer choices
To describe his feelings to his wife, so she will understand why he is afraid to fight in the upcoming battle.
To ensure that his wife will still be proud of him even if he should not return home after the war.
To confess to his wife that he is conflicted about dying in battle, even though he is confident in his duty.
To explain to his wife why he thinks fighting in the war is the right thing to do.
I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night, when two thousand men are sleeping around me, many of them enjoying the last, perhaps, before that of death — and I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country, and thee.
I have sought most closely and diligently, and often in my breast, for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness of those I loved and I could not find one. A pure love of my country and of the principles have often advocated before the people and “the name of honor that I love more than I fear death” have called upon me, and I have obeyed.
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.
What type of literary device is Ballou using in the underlined portions of this paragraph?
my love for you is deathless, … nothing but Omnipotence could break
Group of answer choices
Metaphor
Simile
Personification
Hyperbole
The literary device used in the underlined portion of the paragraph is a metaphor. The speaker is comparing their love for their wife to something that is deathless, implying that it is strong and unbreakable.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me — perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar — that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.
What type of literary device is Ballou using in the underlined portion of this paragraph?
And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years
Group of answer choices
Personification
Metaphor
Simile
Hyperbole