The BFG

By Roald Dahl

Write a brief and engaging introduction about “The BFG ” novel mentioning some of the literary devices used in the novel. Keep the writeup under 500 characters.

Themes 📚

1. The power of friendship – The theme of friendship is a prominent one in “The BFG.” The story follows the unlikely friendship between Sophie and the BFG, two characters from vastly different worlds who become close and help each other.
2. The power of imagination – The BFG’s job is to collect and distribute dreams to people, and this requires a great deal of imagination. The theme of imagination is evident throughout the book, as the BFG’s imaginative abilities help him solve problems and achieve his goals.
3. The importance of standing up for what is right – Sophie and the BFG take it upon themselves to stop the other, more dangerous giants from hurting humans. This theme of standing up for what is right is woven throughout the story, and it teaches readers to have the courage to do what is right even in the face of adversity.
4. The danger of prejudice and stereotyping – The BFG is initially feared by Sophie because of his size, and the other giants in the book are feared by humans because of their violent behavior. The theme of prejudice and stereotyping is used to show the dangers of judging others based on their appearance or actions without taking the time to get to know them.
5. The magic of dreams – Dreams are an essential part of the BFG’s world, and they are used to bring happiness and joy to people. The theme of dreams and their magical power is used to show readers the importance of having dreams and goals in life.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Personification – The BFG, as a character, is a prime example of personification. He is given human-like qualities, such as the ability to speak, feel emotions, and develop friendships, despite being a giant.
2. Imagery – Dahl’s use of vivid imagery helps to create a sense of wonder and magic throughout the story. For example, the descriptions of the BFG’s home and his dream-catching abilities are rich in detail and sensory language.
3. Metaphor – The BFG’s use of metaphors, such as “human beans” to refer to people, adds a touch of humor to the story and helps to create a unique voice for the character.
4. Irony – The contrast between the BFG’s gentle nature and the violent behavior of the other giants in the book is an example of irony, which adds depth to the story and highlights the importance of the theme of prejudice.
5. Allusion – The BFG’s reference to famous historical figures, such as William Shakespeare, adds a layer of complexity to the character and helps to establish his intelligence and knowledge.
6. Onomatopoeia – The use of onomatopoeic words, such as “whizzpopper” to describe the sound of flatulence, adds a sense of humor and whimsy to the story.
7. Hyperbole – Dahl’s use of hyperbole, such as describing the BFG’s ears as being “as big as airplane wings,” adds to the fantastical nature of the story and helps to create a sense of awe and wonder.
8. Symbolism – The dreams that the BFG collects and distributes to people can be seen as a symbol of hope and inspiration, representing the power of imagination and the possibility of achieving one’s dreams.
9. Foreshadowing – The BFG’s warning about the danger of the other giants serves as foreshadowing for the conflict that arises later in the story, adding tension and suspense.
10. Humor – Dahl’s use of humor throughout the book, such as the BFG’s unique way of speaking and his love of “snozzcumbers,” makes the story entertaining and engaging for readers of all ages.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Simile

Example	Explanation
“The BFG moved as silent as a shadow”	This simile helps to depict the stealthy nature of the BFG, despite his enormous size.
“The moon was shining like a silver dollar”	This simile paints a vivid picture of a bright, clear night.
“The snozzcumber tastes like frogskin and rotten fish”	This simile provides a vivid description of the disgusting taste of the snozzcumber.

2. Metaphor

Example	Explanation
“Dreams is full of mystery and magic”	This metaphor turns dreams into something tangible and almost personified.
“Words is oh such a twitch-tickling problem”	This metaphor describes the difficulty the BFG has with language in a playful, imaginative way.
“Your head is full of squashed flies”	This metaphor is used by the BFG to describe a lack of intelligence.

3. Onomatopoeia

Example	Explanation
“Whizzpopping”	This onomatopoeic word is used to describe the sound of the BFG’s flatulence, adding humor to the story.
“Gobblefunk”	This is the name given to the BFG’s unique language, the sound of which reflects its meaning.
“Rumble”	This word is used to represent various sounds in the book, such as the sound of the giants moving.

4. Hyperbole

Example	Explanation
“I is reading it hundreds of times”	This hyperbole emphasizes the BFG’s love for the only book he owns.
“I could eat you up in one gulp”	This is a hyperbolic statement that emphasizes the size difference between the giants and humans.
“I is hearing all the secret whisperings of the world”	The BFG uses this hyperbole to describe his excellent hearing abilities.

5. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The BFG’s ears	The BFG’s large ears symbolize his ability to listen and understand, setting him apart from the other, less kind giants.
Dreams	Dreams in the novel symbolize hope, magic, and the power of the imagination.
The snozzcumber	This disgusting vegetable that the BFG eats symbolizes his rejection of the other giants’ violent and gruesome diets.

FAQs 💭