When reading for figurative meaning a reader is looking what?

When reading for figurative meaning, a reader is looking for the deeper, implied meaning beyond the literal words on the page. This meaning is often conveyed through literary devices like:

* Metaphor: Comparing two unlike things without using "like" or "as" (e.g., "He is a lion in battle.")

* Simile: Comparing two unlike things using "like" or "as" (e.g., "She is as strong as an ox.")

* Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or animals (e.g., "The wind whispered secrets to the trees.")

* Hyperbole: Exaggeration for emphasis (e.g., "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.")

* Symbolism: Using an object or image to represent something else (e.g., a dove symbolizing peace)

* Allegory: A story with a symbolic meaning, often representing a moral or political message.

In essence, the reader is looking for:

* Underlying themes and ideas: What is the author trying to say about life, love, loss, society, etc.?

* Emotional impact: How does the figurative language evoke feelings and reactions in the reader?

* Author's intentions: What message is the author trying to convey through their use of figures of speech?

By understanding the figurative language, a reader can delve into the deeper layers of meaning in a text and gain a more profound understanding of the author's message.