Hatchet Quote by Ross Macdonald
““...a thin woman about fifty with a face like a silver hatchet.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Drowning Pool by Ross Macdonald, 1950
A woman is described with a harsh, metallic image emphasizing her sharp, perhaps unforgiving nature.
In simple terms: She is depicted as harsh and unforgiving.
Key Takeaway
Recognize harsh descriptions as metaphorical.
Themes
character description
metaphor
appearance
perception
tone
Mood
critical
neutral
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- detective fiction
- character analysis
- visual description
Key Concepts
literary analysis
character study
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this description reveal about the narrator’s bias?
- How might this affect reader perception?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify her complexity.
