In this excerpt from George Orwell's essay Marrakech, the author uses figurative language as a literary device. In 3-5 sentences, identify and describe one example of figurative language from the text, and explain how Orwell uses this device to support his view of the British Empire. Include evidence from the text to support your answer. (20 points)

This passage uses metaphor.

Specifically, Orwell is using a metaphor to describe the effect of the British Empire. Wood is passing -- the speaker sees it but does not realize at first that the wood is being carried by old women. When he finally does see them, he realizes how old and crushed they are beneath the weight of the wood.

The Empire is much the same. It passes -- it moves along -- but as it does so, it crushes beneath it the oppressed, whose lives make it possible for the Empire to run smoothly.

Certain words hold a more hopeful connotation, feeling, than other words. For example, beaming is more hopeful than grinning.