Simile:
* "He walked as if he were made of smoke." (This compares Magee's walking style to smoke, emphasizing his light and almost ghostly movement.)
* "His hair was as wild as a tumbleweed." (This compares his hair to a tumbleweed, suggesting its unruliness and wildness.)
Metaphor:
* "His eyes were two black marbles staring out." (This directly compares his eyes to marbles, highlighting their coolness and lack of emotion.)
* "The school was a fortress of boredom." (This compares the school to a fortress, suggesting its oppressive and restricting atmosphere.)
Personification:
* "The wind howled through the trees." (This gives the wind a human characteristic of "howling," creating an image of its fierce force.)
* "The old house whispered secrets." (This gives the house a human characteristic of "whispering," suggesting that it has stories and mysteries to tell.)
Hyperbole:
* "He could jump over a house if he wanted to." (This exaggeration emphasizes Magee's incredible athletic ability.)
* "He was the fastest runner in the whole world." (This exaggeration highlights Magee's unmatched speed.)
Alliteration:
* "Maniac Magee...made mayhem...master of mischief..." (This repetition of the 'm' sound creates a rhythm and emphasizes the character's playful and chaotic nature.)
* "The wind whipped and whistled..." (This repetition of the 'w' sound creates a sense of movement and the wind's force.)
Onomatopoeia:
* "The ball whooshed through the air." (This word imitates the sound of the ball moving.)
* "The door slammed shut." (This word mimics the sound of the door closing.)
These are just a few examples of figurative language from the book. Keep in mind that Spinelli often uses figurative language to add depth, imagery, and emotion to his writing.
When analyzing figurative language, consider what the author is trying to achieve:
* Enhancing descriptions: How does the figurative language make the characters, settings, or events more vivid?
* Revealing character: What does the figurative language tell us about the characters' personalities or perspectives?
* Creating mood and tone: How does the figurative language contribute to the overall feeling or atmosphere of the story?
By paying attention to these details, you can gain a deeper understanding of "Maniac Magee" and the author's craft.