The beloved objects that we had carried with us from place to place were now left behind in the wagon and, with them, finally, our illusions. (29) what type of figurative language is this? what does elie mean when he says they left their "illusions" behind?

- Metaphor-

- 'They are accepting that their peaceful, ordinary lives are gone. They are finally accepting the reality of their dire situation.'

Explanation:

'Metaphor' is the figurative language that has been employed in this statement or excerpt as the illusions have been compared to the 'beloved objects' to clarify the similar nature or characteristics of 'being lost or left behind in the wagon' of the two contradictory ideas to connote the transient nature of common life.

Elie implies while saying that 'she's leaving the illusions behind' that 'they have adopted an acceptable approach to accept the loss(brevity) of habitual and tranquil life(explained through the metaphor of 'illusion' and ready to face the awful and frightful reality of the present situation.'

each morning i wrote my name

on the dusty cabinet, then crossed

the dining table in script, scrawled

in capitals on the backs of chairs,

practicing signatures like scales

while mother followed squirting

linseed from a burping can

i believe it is the first option, having taken lessons