Question

"There was a rustling that seemed like a bustling of Merry Crowds justling at pitching and hustling". The figure of speech in the lines in the poem 'Pied Piper of Hamelin' is:

• A. Onomatopoeia
• B. Alliteration
• C. Assonance
• D. Metaphor

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Onomatopoeia

• Onomatopoeia: This figure of speech involves words that imitate the natural sounds of things. It's like hearing the sound in the word itself.
• In the given lines: The word "rustling" imitates the sound of leaves or light objects moving. "Bustling" suggests the sounds of a busy crowd, and "justling" and "hustling" also imply the noise and commotion of people moving closely together.
• Purpose in Literature: Authors use onomatopoeia to make their writing more vivid and engaging, bringing sounds to life for the reader. It enhances the sensory experience of the poem.
• Competitive Exam Relevance: Questions on figures of speech are common in English Literature sections of competitive exams. Recognizing onomatopoeia requires understanding how words can mimic sounds. Other examples include "buzz," "hiss," "meow," "bang.".
• Contextual Clues: The phrase "Merry Crowds" combined with the sound-imitating words helps paint a picture of a lively and noisy gathering, typical of a town fair or celebration.