Exaggeration is a literary device that is used to state something in an over-emphasizing manner to explain it as either a better or worse. Or in simple words, we can conclude that this literary device is used by a writer to spice up the story. An embellishment, on the other hand, is a device used to ornament something.

Washington Irving in his short story "Rip Van Winkle," has used the literary device of imagery, humour, and satire. Washington has made the story humorous by using the device's exaggeration and embellishment.

Some examples of exaggeration and embellishments are:

Rip Van Winkle's Laziness

"Rip Van Winkle, however, was one of those happy mortals, of foolish, well-oiled dispositions, who take the world easy, eat white bread or brown, whichever can be got with least thought or trouble, and would rather starve on a penny than work for a pound."

Dame Van Winkle's nagging her husband

"A termagant wife may, therefore, in some respects, be considered a tolerable blessing; and if so, Rip Van Winkle was thrice blessed."

So, the correct answer is option third.

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3 years ago