Question

"Sethe", he says, "me and you, we got more yesterday than anybody. We need some more kind of tomorrow."
Which figure of speech is used here? Choose the most appropriate answer.

• A. Hyperbole
• B. Antithesis
• C. Irony
• D. Metaphor

Hint:

Look for contrasting pairs in a sentence (e.g., past/future, light/dark, good/evil). When these opposites are placed close together for effect, the figure of speech is likely antithesis.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question, using a quote from Toni Morrison's Beloved, asks to identify the dominant figure of speech.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The key to the quote lies in the powerful juxtaposition of two opposing concepts:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{"yesterday": Represents the past, memories, and suffering, which the characters have in overwhelming abundance.} \\ \bullet & \text{"tomorrow": Represents the future, hope, and a new life, which they desperately lack and need.} \\ \end{array}\] This direct contrast of opposing ideas within a balanced sentence structure is the definition of antithesis. The statement sets up a clear opposition between having "more yesterday" and needing "more... tomorrow."
While there might be an element of hyperbole ("more yesterday than anybody"), the central rhetorical device that gives the line its power is the sharp contrast between past and future.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The most appropriate figure of speech is antithesis, making option (B) the correct choice.