Figurative language goes beyond the literal meanings of words to create special effects or feelings<span>. It is a </span>word<span> or phrase that is not meant to be taken literally but figuratively.</span>
I believe the grandmother refers to her daughter-in-law, the narrator's mother, as "her affliction."
Sorry, I'm not able to go in depth about as to why considering I haven't really read the story. Hope this is of some help though!
This is one of Shakespeare's sonnets