Figurative Language Used In Bubble Gum Cigarette

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Claim: The figurative language used in "Bubble Gum Cigarette" is crucial to the poem's portrayal of childhood innocence and the dangers of trying to grow up too fast.

Evidence: The metaphor of the bubble-gum cigarettes as real cigarettes creates a sense of danger and excitement in the poem. The poet writes, "You can really believe you're smoking. We talk with the bubble-gum cigarettes between our fingers. Hold them in the air like the movie stars on TV. We let them dangle from our mouths and look at each other through slitted eyes then laugh at how grown-up we can be how beautiful."

Reasoning: By using this metaphor, the poet highlights the girls' desire to emulate adult behavior and be seen as grown-up and beautiful. At the same time, the