Under the Surface

In the poem “Four Skinny Trees” the author uses an extended metaphor to develop the theme in the story by using the trees as a symbol for Esperanza.  The theme that is expressed by the extended metaphor is the ugliest, poor, and raggedy things have beauty and magnitude underneath the surface. An extended metaphor is a symbol of something that is throughout the entire piece of literature. The extended metaphor in “Four Skinny Trees” is the trees represent her. She uses the metaphor by describing the trees as useless and unappealing but underneath the ground they are strong and ferocious. No one sees their strength except Esperanza, she is like those trees. She alike a weak, poor girl on the outside and that’s how everyone views her, but on the inside she has passion and true potential. The extended metaphor suggests that things may not always seem as they appear and few truly know what is under the surface. -Tiana