Question

Which literary device is used in this sentence from James Joyce’s “Araby”? But my body was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers running upon the wires.
motif
metaphor
hyperbole
simile

Answer 1

Hello!

The correct answer is simile. A simile is a comparison between 2 things using "like" or "as".

"But my body was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers running upon the wires."

The sentence uses the word "like" to compare 2 things:

- Body to harp
- Words and gestures to fingers

$\framebox {The correct answer is simile}$

Answer 2

The answer is the last choice, "Simile."

A simile uses the words "like" or "as" to compare one thing to another. The sentence uses the word "like" to compare the person's body to a harp. Another comparison is then made in which the word "like" is used to compare a woman's words and gestures to the hands of those playing the harp.