Extended Metaphors In The Custom House
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Hawthorne uses an extended metaphor along with hostile diction to depict the U.S. Government as a dangerous refuge. Throughout the passage, Hawthorne uses an extended metaphor to compare the government to an eagle. He uses the words “fierceness”, “unhappy” and “vixenly” to describe the eagle, which gives it a sense of hostility and danger. He also states in the metaphor that “many people are seeking into the shelter themselves under the wing,”. This shows that this dangerous place is seen as a refuge for its citizens.
In this excerpt from “The Custom House”, Hawthorne writes to exemplify the deterioration of his hometown, Salem. He talks about how over time, the busy ports “crumble to ruin” with neglect. This implies that the town is not