The Count of Monte Cristo
Writers make DELIBERATE choices
about what they put in and leave out
of their work. The details they include
are CLUES to the (deeper) meaning
of their work.
ANALYZE and INTERPRET WHY the
author chooses a particular literary
term or device in order to create a
deeper meaning within the text & to
give you a clue as to that meaning.
 1) WHY this particular image, color, smell,
comparison, adjective?
 2) What is he/she trying to help me better
understand or reveal about
 a. character? or
 b. conflict? or
 c. the larger message of the text?
Word
(Figurative/Literary
Language)
Definition (of the
figurative/literary
language)
Quote from the novel
that has the example
of the literary device
Explanation of the quote and
what it helps the reader better
understand about the text; needs
"helps the reader better
understand" and "because"
 Underneath the book quote (on left), you must have
 an explanation of WHAT the device/term HELPS THE READER
 BETTER UNDERSTAND. Be sure to EXPLAIN yourself.
 1) Begin sentence with author and title
 2) Underline the term
 3) Underline helps the reader better understand
 4) Underline because
Sensory Language
Words that appeal to the
five senses
The dawn came quickly
now, a wash, a glow, a
lightness, and then an
explosion of fire as the
sun arose out of the
gulf. (pg. 3)
In The Pearl, Steinbeck uses
sensory language to help the
reader better understand the
beauty of the morning sunrise
as Kino experiences it because
this feeling of connection that
Kino has with nature will later
be destroyed by the pearl.
Hyperbole
It was the greatest
pearl in the world.
(Pg. 19)
Exaggeration for effect
In The Pearl, Steinbeck uses
hyperbole to help the reader
understand not just the size of the
pearl but its effect on Kino because
finding a pearl of this size will change
his life – for good or bad.
Metaphor
A comparison between two
unlike things by saying one
thing is another.
The poison sacs of the town
began to manufacture venom,
and the town swelled and
puffed with the pressure of it.
(pg. 23)
In The Pearl, Steinbeck uses the
metaphor of poison sac to refer to the
sentiments of the townspeople towards
Kino to help the reader understand _____
because ___________________.
In The Pearl, Steinbeck uses the
metaphor of poison sac to refer to the
sentiments of the townspeople towards
Kino to help the reader understand how
much the finding of the pearl has
disrupted the status quo because
eventually the poison or ill-will boils
over and hurts Kino and his family.
The priest came in…Children,
he considered these people,
and he treated them like
children. (pg. 27)
Simile
The priest came
in…Children, he
considered these people,
and he treated them like
children. (pg. 27)
A comparison between two
unlike things using like or
as
Simile
A comparison between two
unlike things using like or as
The priest came
in…Children, he
considered these
people, and he treated
them like children. (pg.
27)
In The Pearl, Steinbeck uses a
simile comparing the Indians
to children to the help the
reader understand how the
power structure in the town
views the Indians because if
they do no believe them
capable of deep thought,
they can continue to
And the beauty of the pearl,
winking and glimmering in the
light of the little candle cozened
his brain with its beauty. ..It closed
a door on hunger. (pg. 39)
Personification
Giving human qualities to nonhuman things
And the beauty of the
pearl, winking and
glimmering in the light of
the little candle cozened
his brain with its beauty.
..It closed a door on
hunger. (pg. 39)
In The Pearl, Steinbeck uses
personification to help the
reader understand the power
of the pearl because he
characterizes it as if is
actually human and can
accomplish important tasks
on its own such as save a
family from hunger.