Student Question
What type of figurative language is used in this phrase from "The Gift of the Magi": "Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher"?
Quick answer:
The figurative language used in the phrase "Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher" from "The Gift of the Magi" is a metaphor. This metaphor compares Della's forceful haggling to a bulldozer, suggesting her persistent and vigorous efforts to negotiate lower prices, vividly illustrating her determination to save money.
Your question refers to a phrase in the opening paragraph of O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi". The phrase refers to the method by which Della has been able to scrape together a small amount of money, in other words repeatedly haggling with the grocer, vegetable seller, and butcher. The type of figurative language used in this phrase is metaphor. A metaphor is a comparison of two things by stating or implying that one thing is some other thing. In this case, Della is compared to a bulldozer because the pressure with which she argues with vendors to lower their prices for her is apparently forceful enough to knock over their objections, just like a bulldozer knocks obstacles out of its way. "Bulldozing" is a much more vivid way to describe Della's haggling than to say that she had "argued" about the prices of things.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.