Essay Questions

What does the narrator mean when saying, ‘The end had come. They would meet it with swords raised?’

The author uses metaphorical language towards the end of the text to remind readers that he uses a curious linguistic style in the book’s structure. The reader finds it paradoxical when the author says that the end is met with swords raised. Therefore, the narrator’s quote is an eye-opener that a book can be concluded using a complex structure.

How does the author use a philosophical metaphor to inspire his readers?

The entire text is filled with metaphors and paradoxes that encourage readers to think critically and view challenges as opportunities. For instance, the narrator reminds readers that success is not a walk in the park because it is a journey filled with obstacles. Therefore, if an individual stumbles while walking, he should stand and continue pursuing his goals. The author writes, "Nobody walks a difficult path without stumbling now and again. It didn't break you when you fell. That's the important part."

Illustrate how the author uses the literary element simile.

The most evident simile used by the author is the imagery of the wind when he describes how it encounters the continent. For instance, the author writes, “Eventually, the wind encountered another continent, this one quiet, like a man holding his breath before the headsman’s axe fell.”