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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—Perfectly Simple:
When the man is trying to convince the girl to have an abortion, he uses hyperbolic language to describe what the procedure will be like, and she responds using verbal irony, as seen in the following passage:
“I don’t want anybody but you. I don’t want any one else. And I know it’s perfectly simple.”
“Yes, you know it’s perfectly simple.”
“It’s all right for you to say that, but I do know it.”
“Would you do something for me now?”
“I’d do anything for you.”
“Would you please please please please please please please stop talking?”
The hyperbole here—in which the man describes the process of having an abortion as “perfectly simple”—is clearly an example of exaggerated language. Readers have no reason to believe that he is a medical professional with a thorough understanding of how abortions work, so this phrasing reads as a ploy to convince the girl to have the abortion. This is one of the many times that he seeks to use his power and authority (specifically as an older man) to convince the younger woman to do what he wants so he can continue to live a life of freedom.
The girl seems to see through this hyperbolic language, repeating sarcastically, “Yes, you know it’s perfectly simple,” as if to mock him for such a claim. This is an example of verbal irony, as the girl does not actually believe the man’s statement. Though Hemingway does not describe her tone, the man’s defensive, “I do know it” communicates that she made the statement with some amount of derision. The girl’s final request that he “please please please please please please stop talking” also suggests that she is frustrated and was likely being sarcastic when repeating that he knew it was a “perfectly simple” procedure.
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