Question

What are some examples of the use of figurative language in "Tribute to a Dog?" What is the impact of figurative language words and phrase on the meaning of the text? List three examples of figurative words and phrases as well as textual evidence for support.
George Graham Vest (1830¬–1904) was an attorney and U.S. Senator who was known as one of the greatest public speakers and debaters of his time. This speech is Graham’s closing argument in a case in which he represented a man who was suing another man for killing his dog. Graham’s impactful statement helped to win the case.
Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.

Answer 1

The figurative words and characters in this speech support its purpose to honor an admirable character, in this case dogs. The speech is a tribute speech therefore the figurative language was chosen to show praise. Here are three examples: "the stone of malice" is a metaphor the author uses to compare men's mistreatment of one another to a dog's loyalty, "When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces" is a sample of personification because he gives life to money and the concept of pride [furthermore, this phrase shows the dog is a comforter], and "And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master" is a hyperbole that exaggerates the commitment of a dog.