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How Does Hillenbrand Use Figurative Language In Unbroken

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In Unbroken and Seabiscuit, Hillenbrand tells inspiring stories about two legendary American heros. In Unbroken, Louie, a World War II soldier, is forced to fight for survival after an airplane crash. In Seabiscuit, Seabiscuit, an underestimated race horse, rises to each challenge and perseveres in times of defeat. Hillenbrand’s use of figurative language, syntax, theme and selection of detail is similar in both of theses books; however, there are subtle differences due to a change in the purpose, audience, and story. In both Unbroken and Seabiscuit use similar syntax structure to create nail-biting suspense. When pressure is rising before an important event, Hillenbrand will often hint to what is going to what happen next with foreshadowing. …show more content…

Hillenbrand uses many similes and metaphors in both novels when trying to compare the impact or intensity of a situation. For example, In Unbroken, when Louie was suffering from an increasing alcohol addiction “reaching for his flask became as easy as slapping a swatter on a fly” (Unbroken 347). Hillenbrand’s use of figurative language differs between Seabiscuit and Unbroken in terms of using more hyperboles and understatements in Unbroken. Hillenbrand does this to illustrate the catastrophic effects of war while also not letting the disheartening side of war become overpowering. She tries to keep Louie’s story somewhat lighthearted and focuses on how Louie rose from difficulty, as opposed to the direness of the situation. For example, when the maniacal bird beats Louie for the first time Hillenbrand chooses focus not on the beating but that “Louie steadied himself again [and] raised his eyes to the corporal’s face” (Unbroken 238). Also, Unbroken uses many allusions to its title “EXAMPLE QUOTE HERE” whereas Seabiscuit does not. Hillenbrand also uses vivid imagery when that draws the reader into the story. She describes with immense detail and often uses personification or metaphors to do so most effectively. For example, in Seabiscuit, Hillenbrand is sure to mention that Seabiscuit’s final race track had “arches of acacias, columns of jonquils, and giant gardenias with fifteen …show more content…

This tone, however is not appropriate for the dire, life threatening situations in Unbroken and is therefore used solely in Seabiscuit. For Hillenbrand states “it became unclear who was stalking whom” when describing Howard’s relationship with the press (Seabiscuit 132). This lighthearted wit is woven throughout Seabiscuit, helping to keep the reader interested and the story enjoyable. In Unbroken, Hillenbrand uses a more serious, emotional tone. She pours emotion into every sentence allowing the reader to easily connect with Louie. For example, when Louie is at the prisoner camp, Hillenbrand writes that Louie was “sickened and starving, his will fraying away” and that all Louie had was “the faint hope of the war’s end, and rescue, to keep him going” (Unbroken 291). While Seabiscuit’s story and struggle is easy to connect to, the fact that he is a horse makes it difficult for the reader to emotionally be immersed in what Seabiscuit may be

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