Hawthorne's Use Of 'Extended Metaphor In The Custom House'

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Hawthorne uses various elements including; Imagery, comparison, and an extended metaphor. He describes how the government has the same qualities as the eagle and compare them by pointing out strengths and weaknesses, as well as flaws. He also uses an extended metaphor, making the government become the eagle. By using these elements of text, his attitude towards the government is raw and makes the government sound “unsheltering.” In this passage from “The Custom House,” Hawthorne explains how much better Salem Port was before being “scorned” with other ports. The only positive description given to the port is its “granite” steps, but even there, contradicts the positivity by saying that the grass has grown in between the steps because of no