Editor's Choice
In "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," what are Wheeler's movements compared to when he "blockades" with his chair?
Quick answer:
In "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," Simon Wheeler's movements are humorously compared to a military "blockade." This metaphor suggests Wheeler's bulk and chair trap the narrator, preventing escape, much like a military maneuver cutting off an area. The exaggerated comparison highlights the story's comedic tone, as Wheeler's presence is likened to a formidable barrier that confines the narrator to listen to his lengthy tale.
The noun "blockade" has the denotation of a military maneuver that cuts off an area either by force or implied force. It prevents communications or supplies from being brought in or out, and prevents escape from the blockaded area. Because the narrator is an ordinary man who is simply hearing a long-winded narrative delivered by Simon Wheeler, the verb "blockaded" sounds hyperbolic, adding to the story's droll, humorous tone. The use of the word implies that the narrator is being held captive and cannot expect to escape on his own volition or be rescued since Simon Wheeler is a "fat" man whose bulk prevents free movement around him. The image of the narrator trapped in a corner by Simon Wheeler's body on a chair works to deepen the comic mood of Twain's story.
Well done for identifying this excellent example of an implied metaphor, where the movements of Simon Wheeler are clearly being compared to some form of wall or large object that prevents escape. Let us have a look at the passage in context to fully appreciate the humour of the situation:
Simon Wheeler backed me into a corner and blockaded me there with his chair and then sat me down and reeled off the monotonous narrative which follows this paragraph.
We can see that the implied metaphor uses exaggeration for humorous effect, as Simon Wheeler seems to be compared to something like a tank or a military unit that blockades the narrator in to the corner so he cannot get away. Then we have an example of irony when he describes the tale he is told as a "monotonous narrative," as it is highly unlikely that Twain would be telling us this story if it was boring. The humour of course is developed through the course of the story and then when Simon Wheeler is called away and the narrator makes a quick getaway, not wanting to be penned in again!
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