De Crevecoeur: Figurative Language

De ‘Crevecoeur uses an subjective positive tone to describe his view of America, and a negative tone to describe Europe, both of which convey his vision of the New World. Throughout this work, he describes both areas in ways that cannot be proven to be entirely factual, and thus are his views and opinions. This can be seen first in the passage; “If he travels through our rural districts he views not the hostile castle and haughty mansion, contrasted with the clay-built hut ad miserable cabin” (310). De ‘Crevecoeur did not live in these two extremes of society in Europe, and therefore doesn’t have personal evidence to back up his claims. In addition, he uses subjective adjectives like hostile, haughty, and miserable. He cannot prove that the mansion housed arrogant people, or the

Here man is free as he ought to be […]” (310). Stating that any society is the best or most perfect

De ‘Crevecoeur utilizes figurative language by personifying the land of America and using descriptive metaphors to further his utopian and optimistic view of the New World. This literary technique can first be seen in the line; “We are a people […] united by the silken bands of mild government, all respecting the law, without dreading their power, because they are equitable” (310). He uses the metaphor of silken bands to describe the American government. The government softly, like silk, and kindly maintains order among the people, without being too harsh or overbearing. This strongly contrasts the situation in England, where the royal government and aristocracy divide the population unequally into have and have-nots, instead of uniting them as a country. The citizens of the New World do not fear their government’s power. The people have an intrinsic right to reject authority that oversteps its boundaries, therefore their power is equal to those in control. Equal power between all citizens creates a peaceful, utopian society