What literary device would pertain to these sentences?

1. He leaned hard against the wall. (Upright structure which encloses something or serves as a boundary)
2. "It was not the buildings or arch that made the children gasp. It was how the buildings were shaped-- rectangular, but with a rounded top. A rectangle with a rounded top is a strange shape, and the orphans could only think of one thing with that shape. To the Baudelaires each building looked exactly like a gravestone." (Snicket,
11)

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The literary device that pertains to both of these sentences is symbolism, specifically the use of metaphorical or symbolic language.

In the first sentence, "He leaned hard against the wall," the wall represents an upright structure or a boundary. The act of leaning against it may suggest a feeling of support or confinement, symbolizing the character's emotional or physical state.

In the second sentence, the buildings with rectangular shapes and rounded tops symbolize gravestones. The author uses this metaphorical language to illustrate the eerie and foreboding atmosphere the orphans perceive. The shape of the buildings evokes feelings of death, sadness, and a sense of impending doom.

To identify the literary device in a sentence or passage, it is important to analyze the specific words, phrases, or images that hold symbolic meaning beyond their literal interpretation. By exploring the deeper layers of language and imagery, readers can uncover the author's intended symbolism and its significance within the text.