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Definition of Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations intended to emphasize a point... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements... read full definition
Hyperbole
Explanation and Analysis—Maria’s Laugh:
When the young women at the Hallow Eve event convince Maria to participate in the blindfold game, she laughs hysterically. The narrator captures this moment using hyperbolic language:
They insisted then on blindfolding Maria and leading her up to the table to see what she would get; and, while they were putting on the bandage, Maria laughed and laughed again till the tip of her nose nearly met the tip of her chin.
The description of Maria laughing “till the tip of her nose nearly met the tip of her chin” is clearly an exaggeration. While it’s possible that Maria could have a nose that curves down and a chin that curves up, there’s no way that, anatomically speaking, the two could ever “nearly” meet. It is notable that this is the third time in the story that the narrator has mentioned the proximity of Maria’s nose and chin, likely as a way of drawing a connection between Maria and the stereotypical images of the witch or crone that often featured older women with pointy noses and chins. (This interpretation is backed up by the fact that the story is set on Hallow Eve.) By highlighting Maria’s witch-like appearance, Joyce is also highlighting her unglorified status as an unmarried, childless older woman in her society.
This moment is also significant as Maria’s laughter has an air of performance to it. That the children “insisted” on blindfolding Maria suggests that she did not want to participate in the game, thereby suggesting that her laughter is meant to cover up her discomfort. This is one of the many times in the story when Maria represses her true feelings of displeasure in order to make the people around her (and even herself) believe that she is having a good time.
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Explanation and Analysis—Joe’s Anger:
When Maria brings up the topic of Alphy with Joe—believing it time for him to be in touch with his estranged brother again—Joe expresses his anger toward his brother, using hyperbolic language in the process:
Maria thought she would put in a good word for Alphy. But Joe cried that God might strike him stone dead if ever he spoke a word to his brother again and Maria said she was sorry she had mentioned the matter.
When Joe invites God to "strike him stone dead if ever he spoke a word to his brother again,” he is being hyperbolic. In other words, he is using exaggerated language in order to emphasize how committed he is to keeping his brother out of his life—so committed, in fact, that he would rather die than speak to Alphy again.
This moment indirectly highlights Maria’s loneliness and emotional repression. That Joe is Maria’s closest friend and speaks to her in this aggressive manner suggests that she does not have the sort of loving community (and family) that she deeply longs for. Also, the fact that Maria immediately responds to his outburst by saying that “she was sorry she had mentioned the matter” demonstrates how she suppresses her true feelings in order to keep the peace. Joe is the one behaving rudely in this interaction and yet Maria is the one apologizing, which proves to be a pattern in her life more broadly.
Related Themes:
