Figurative Language (Metaphor) The metaphor of "living lightning" from Belinda’s eyes dramatizes her anger and grief, adding a sense of horror and mock tragedy.This metaphor enhances the comic exaggeration of the situation, turning a small act of vanity into an epic event. The metaphor critiques the overreactions of society, showing how small offenses are elevated to dramatic levels of importance.
Zdrs: 2
Time Manipulation (Flashback Foreshadowing)Belinda recalls omens that foretold her loss, using flashbacks to her falling patch-box and china shaking. This foreshadows her current distress.The combination of flashback and foreshadowing adds an element of inevitability to her fate, underscoring the mock seriousness of her lament. The passage critiques society’s obsession with appearances, as Belinda’s vanity leads her to interpret trivial events as cosmic signs.
I should have payed attention more.....
Zdrs: 3
Figurative Language (Symbolism) The lock of hair becomes a symbol of Belinda’s lasting fame, preserved in the stars by the Muse. This adds a sense of mock-heroic immortality. This transformation of a simple lock of hair into an eternal symbol adds humor and emphasizes the absurdity of valuing something so trivial. The exaggerated treatment of the lock critiques the superficial priorities of society, showing how vanity and fame are intertwined in aristocratic culture.