Literary Devices in On Liberty

Literary Devices Examples in On Liberty:

Chapter I. Introductory.

"But as the king of the vultures would be no less bent upon preying on the flock than any of the minor harpies, it was indispensable to be in a perpetual attitude of defence against his beak and claws..." See in text (Chapter I. Introductory.)

Mill employs metaphors in this passage to emphasize his points: Because the ruler was often just as corrupt as other members of the community (i.e. those whose corruption he was supposed to keep in check), citizens were on constant guard against the government.

Dan Isaza

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"To prevent the weaker members of the community from being preyed upon by innumerable vultures, it was needful that there should be an animal of prey stronger than the rest, commissioned to keep them down..." See in text (Chapter I. Introductory.)

Governmental authorities were established in order to maintain social stability and order.

Dan Isaza

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