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146 Unit 2 ■ Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

5 METAPHOR The line break helps to clarify the the hell)next
ambiguity and opens additional interpretations minute i was back in neutral tried and
(literally turning a street corner of a road 15 again slo-wly;bare,ly nudg. ing(my
called “Divinity Avenue” versus a figurative
interpretation of having a profoundly enjoyable or lev-er Right-
sacred experience). oh and her gears being in
A 1 shape passed
6 METAPHOR The speaker notes once more from low through
that this is a new experience for both parties 20 second-in-to-high like
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs were used with this sample chapter.
involved; “ride” is also suggestive as a double 5 greasedlightning)just as we turned the corner of Divinity
greasedlightning)just as we turned the corner of Divinity
entendre.
avenue i touched the accelerator and give
7 METAPHOR The contrasting forces in addition her the juice,good
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
to the condensed words and phrases indicate a
(it
race to the finish of the experience together. 6 (it
was the first ride and believe i we was
25 was the first ride and believe i we was
8 METAPHOR This is another description
that can be applied to a car or a person after a happy to see how nice she acted right up to
rigorous emotional experience. the last minute coming back down by the Public
Gardens i slammed on
the
internalexpanding
7 30 internalexpanding
& &
externalcontracting
externalcontracting
brakes Bothatonce and
brakes Bothatonce and
8 brought allofher tremB
brought allofher tremB
-ling
35 -ling
to a:dead.
stand-
;Still)
SUGGESTED RESPONSES FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Comparisons
TO THE QUESTIONS
1. The poem uses a metaphor to make a comparison. What two things are being
1. The writer compares the experience of driving compared?
a car to having a sexual experience; therefore, 2. What characteristics are shared by both objects of comparison?
another comparison the writer makes is
between a car and a woman. 3. Why does e.e. cummings use the comparisons he does, and what associations
2. The object and the subject being compared can we make through the figurative comparisons?
are both new (inexperienced); both have parts
that are manipulated by the speaker; both
respond when acted upon; both are capable of
movement.
3. Responses may vary. The writer may
understand both experiences to be technical
(yet intuitive); moreover, the writer may be
underscoring the similarities of having new
experiences or practicing new skills. The
associations may imply that women are 03_williamlit1e_46174_ch02_116_207.indd 146 22/09/22 9:43 AM
comparable to objects, passively receptive, or
lacking agency or the capability to consent in COMPREHENSION CHECK
sexual encounters. 1. Because the car is new, the speaker describes being “_______ of her.” [careful]
2. What is the name of the street the speaker references turning onto? [Divinity Avenue]
3. How many times has the speaker driven this car before? [None; this is the “first ride.”]
4. The speaker describes “slam[ming]” on what part of the car near the conclusion of the drive?
[brakes]
5. After turning the car on, the speaker describes having difficulty switching which part of the car?
[The gears]

TRM Unit 2: Comprehension Check Digital Comprehension Check

146 Unit 2 Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

03_williamlitte1e_47545_ch02_116_207_3pp.indd 146 08/12/22 5:29 PM