The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: Whit uses metaphors to describe how Curley is constantly agitated and unable to relax.
This answer is correct because it accurately identifies both the literary technique used and its intended meaning within the context of John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men.
The phrases “yella-jackets in his drawers” and “pants is just crawlin’ with ants” are classic examples of metaphors. A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” Here, Curley’s state of being is directly compared to the physical sensation of having stinging and crawling insects in his clothing. Steinbeck does not say Curley is like a man with ants in his pants, which would be a simile. Instead, he uses a more forceful, direct comparison to create a vivid image of Curley’s personality.
The meaning of these metaphors is crucial to understanding Curley’s character. The imagery of being infested with yellow jackets and ants evokes a powerful sense of irritation, extreme discomfort, and an inability to be still. It perfectly encapsulates Curley’s constant agitation and pugnacious nature. He is a character defined by his restlessness and insecurity, always itching for a fight to prove his dominance, a condition known as a Napoleon complex. He is never calm or at peace. These metaphors effectively communicate his inner turmoil and aggressive energy to the reader, portraying him as a person who is perpetually on edge and uncomfortable in his own skin. The other options are incorrect because one misidentifies the technique as a simile, another completely misinterprets the figurative language as a literal interest in insects, and the last option suggests the exact opposite of Curley’s agitated state.
