"Meeting Maung-Maung" Response

The theme of Iyer's essay is to do the right thing even when it is hard. Maung-Maung created a list of principles that he chooses to live by, always be helpful, always be kind, to name a few. Maung-Maung says, "Yes. It is not always easy...But I must try,"(Iyer 21). An example of effective language is where it says, "Then, as gently as if it were his Bible, Maung-Maung passed across the other volume..."(Iyer 22). This is a strong use of simile because it not only gives a clear visual of how Maung-Maung was handling the book but it also gives insight into his passionate character. Another example is when it says, "Deeply wounded by his desertion, his parents did not speak to him for a year,"(Iyer 23). This is effective because it’s able to immediately create a tone shift to something more dark and foreboding.