Rhetorical devices

Metaphors

Markle uses metaphors to enhance her message and make the article an entertaining read. For example, the metaphor “verbal dance” (l.6) conveys the type of dialogue she has with people who subtly ask her about her ethnicity, and how she, at first, tries to avoid answering.

Markle also suggests that, when her dorm mate suggested that it was normal for her parents to be divorced, she was afraid to confront her, as it could have led to more discriminating remarks. She conveys this through another metaphor, saying that she avoided opening “Pandora’s box of discrimination” (l. 132).

To explain how her mixed background created confusion around her identity, Markle uses other metaphors, comparing her identity with the dullness of the colour grey and with an abyss: “I was grey” (l. 258); “abyss of self-misunderstanding” (ll. 264-265).

Personification, similes, and oxymoron

When Markle speaks about her and her parents’ reactions to prejudice and racism, she uses personification: “I could see the blotchiness of his skin crawling from pink to red.” (ll. 107-109); “My skin rushed with heat as I looked to my mom. Her eyes welling with hateful tears (…)” (ll. 138-140). By personifying certain physical reactions, Markle conveys the strong emotions she and her parents felt in those moments.

The simile “ash that flaked down like apocalyptic snow” (ll. 149-150), used in reference to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, when many fires were started in the city, highlights the frightening atmosphere created by the riots.

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