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Definition of Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations intended to emphasize a point... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements... read full definition
Part 2, Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis—An Awkward Dinner:
During the flashback scene in Part 2, Chapter 5, Jem, Jean Louise, and Atticus endure a very awkward dinner with Reverend Moorehead and his wife after Jean Louise is caught naked amid a pretend baptism. Lee uses hyperbole to express their mortified reactions to the Reverend's scolding:
By the time Reverend Moorehead got around to explaining that these were motherless children she felt one inch high. She peeked at Jem: his nose was almost in his plate and his ears were red. She doubted if Atticus would ever be able to raise his head again.
Hyperbole is a way for Lee to channel Jean Louise as a child and the emotional intensity of that time, especially when it comes to adult authority.
Just as often as they read emotions, children misread emotions, as Jean Louise does with Atticus here, who we find out is not holding in rage but another expression of emotion:
"Cal," she whispered, "is Atticus real upset?"
Calpurnia straightened up, looked down at her, and said to the table at large, "Mr. Finch? Nawm, Miss Scout. He on the back porch laughin'!"
While a young Jean Louise panics over the ramifications of her actions, Atticus sneaks off to laugh over its ludicrousness. This renders the hyperbolic scene rather silly, making it a fond memory to look back on.
