Figurative Language in Of Mice and Men
Use the page reference number to find an example for each figurative
language device.
Alliteration
Alliteration is where a consonant sound is
repeated at the start of several words in a row
(or very close to each other).
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is where a word represents the
sound it is describing, like “bang”, “clap” or
“tweet.”
Metaphor
A metaphor is a direct comparison where one
this is described as being something else.
Personification
Personification is where an object, place or
abstract concept is given human actions or
qualities.
Simile
A simile is a comparison between two things
that uses the word “as” or “like”.
"The water is warm too, for it has slipped
twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight
before reaching the narrow pool." (p1)
Find one example on page 2
“The crash of the shot rolled up the hills and
down again.” (p120)
Find one example on page 3
“Lennie covered his face with huge paws and
bleated with terror.” (p71)
Find two examples on page 36 and page 37
“The sycamore leaves whispered in a little night
breeze.” (p18)
Find three examples on page 2, 105 and 112
“At about ten o’clock in the morning the sun
threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of
the side windows, and in and out of the beam
flies shot like rushing stars.” (p19)
Find two examples on page 8 and page 34
Now, have a go at creating a sentence or two using each figurative language device listed below.
Use the following ideas or come up with your own;
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Alliteration for describing one aspect of a character’s appearance
Onomatopoeia for describing something cooking in the kitchen
Metaphor for comparing the feeling of love with something
Personification for the moon or sun
Simile for describing the sound of a fast-moving object (e.g. plane, ball, bird, etc)
Figurative language sheet answers
Alliteration
“The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every
part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms...” (p2)
Onomatopoeia
“His huge companion…drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse.” (p3)
Metaphor
“He was a jerkline skinner, prince of the ranch.” (p37)
“…she’s a rat trap if I ever seen one.” (p36)
Personification
“As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a
moment.” (p105)
“The shade climbed up the hills toward the top.” (p2)
“Already the sun had left the valley to go climbing up the slopes of the Gabilan mountains and the
hilltops were rosy in the sun (p112)
Simile
“A water snake slipped along the pool, its head held up like a little periscope.” (p8)
“Her hair hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages.” (p34)