Interpretive Essay

Everyone goes through times in their life when they feel like they are irrelevant, and sometimes people are scared to show people who they really are. Nobody should be afraid of being judged. Some people just need a little encouragement to get through their day. In Katy Perry's "Firework", the author uses similes, metaphors, and rhetorical questions to provide encouragement to the listener.

The author begins to use similes to encourage the listener. "You don't have to feel like a waste of space", is a simile that is used in the song. It basically means that nobody should feel like they have no purpose in life. "Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in", describes how someone may feel when they are down. When someone feels like a house of cards, they feel weak and vulnerable. Another simile is "just own the night like the fourth of July". This simile is telling the listener to show off.

Through the use of metaphors, the author encourages the listener. "You're a firework" is a metaphor that is used to tell the listener that he is something amazing. The author is trying to convey to the listener that they are bright and original like fireworks. Everyone is an individual and shines on their own. "Come on, let your colors burst" tells the listener that he should be himself and come out of his shell. This tells the listeners that it is ok if they do not fit in. "There's a reason why, all the doors are closed, so you could open one that leads you to a perfect road", is a metaphor that lets the listener know that there are more opportunities in life. It shows people that they just have to take advantage of these opportunities. With metaphors, the author encourages people by telling them to be proud of who they are.

The author utilizes rhetorical questions to provide encouragement to the listener. "Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting though the wind, wanting to start again?" is a rhetorical question that is used in the song. Another rhetorical question is, "Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?" The author takes advantage of the power of rhetorical questions to captivate listeners. These rhetorical questions are located at the beginning of the song to get the listeners attention. The author uses the rhetorical questions to empathize with the listener. When someone hears them, they might feel like they can relate to the song, so they will want to keep on listening.

The meaning of this song is to encourage people by telling them to be who they are and not let their flaws get in the way of anything. When people feel down or worthless, they should not worry and be themselves. With similes, metaphors, and rhetorical questions, the author of Katy Perry's "Firework" is able to encourage people who are listening to the song.