Figurative Language In Macbeth By Nordlinger

Although this book is a work of nonfiction, Nordlinger uses a variety of abstract language and ideas to convey the facts he presents. These displays of figurative language add texture and life to what would otherwise be a rather dark and dull topic. The most common devices are metaphors, however other devices are implemented throughout. When speaking of Castro, a Cuban dictator, Nordlinger states, “if he has to break a few eggs along the way in order to make an omelette out of Cuba, so be it” (Nordlinger 118). As the majority of Nordlinger’s readers have not experienced the desire to conquer an entire country, Nordlinger uses this metaphor to make the dictator’s drive more relatable. If you want an omelet, you are not going to think twice

I initially interpreted this quote with the idea that milk is white and pure and often flows readily, like human kindness should, but I felt there was more to this quote. With a small amount of research I discovered that this was a Shakespearean quote from the play Macbeth. Although I have never read this play, my research lead me to discover that this quote was spoken about Macbeth before he was overcome with the greed of power. In this sense I believe that Nordlinger is trying to convey that dictators are not righteous enough to combat greed. Dictators tend to be ruthless, power hungry machines that will destroy anything in their way. They certainly are not pure or kind in any

I believe that this device is a chiasmus, or very similar to one. The book states, “She is the ex-princess of a dictatorship, or the princess of an ex-dictatorship” (Nordlinger 179). This careful arrangement of words allows for a greater emphasis on how the life of Rana changed after her dictator father was captured. She was no longer looked upon as a princess, nor was the dictatorship she fell under still reigning. Her entire life was completely turned upside down. No matter how you looked at her situation, it is evident that it would never be the