3. Recitation. The leader’s part in the recitation is to help the children to classify the things mentioned, to bring out the meaning of the figures of speech, and to see that the allusions are understood.
In writing this fine chapter, Ruskin has mentioned or alluded to the following:
a. Land and water forms: Mountains; valley; snow; peaks; cataracts; river; circular hollow; mill stream; cloud; rain; globe of foam.
b. Animals: Sheep (mutton); bird (feathers); puppy; dog (licking its chops); wolf (howling wind); cattle.
c. Plant life: Crops; hay; apples; grapes; corn; vines; straw; cork; trees.
d. Natural phenomena: A wet summer wind blowing; gushing rain; whirling clouds; misty moonbeam; floating foam; sweeping inundation; breezes (breezy letters).
e. Rock material: Quicksilver; red sand; gray mud.
f. Natural products: Crops; apples; hay; grapes; wine; honey; corn; mutton; cork; cattle.
g. Figures of speech: (In studying figures of speech, make three points in each, viz.: First, the basis of the figure; second, the translation of the figure into literal English; third, the force and beauty of the figure and its effect on the meaning of the sentence. With older children the names of the figures may be given. Illustrations of these directions will follow.)
(1) Like a beaten puppy’s tail. (A beaten puppy drops his tail and drags it weakly behind him. The feather drooped down behind him and dragged limply along. The figure gives a vivid picture of the wet feather, limp and unhandsome. The figure is a comparison in the form of a simile.)