Basking shark

• "To stub an oar on a rock where none should be" 


  This is a metaphor which compares the shark to a rock highlighting how the writer thinks that the shark is solid and has no intelligence
• "I count as gain" 


  The word choice of "gain" has positive connotations such as earn and emphasises that the experience was worthwhile.
• "on a sea tin-tacked with rain"


  The alliteration of "tin-tacked" helps readers to picture the setting and makes it seem like readers can hear/see the rain hitting the sea.
• "That roomsized monster" 


  The word choice of "roomsized" emphasises the large size of the shark.

  The word choice of "monster" highlights that the writer feels as though the shark is frightening and ugly.
• "with a matchbox brain"


  This is a metaphor which emphasises how the writer thinks that despite the sharks large size it has a small brain and is unintelligent.
• "He displaced more than water."

  This tells readers that the shark made the writer rethink his life.
• "when it settles a spring 

  Is all the clearer. "


  The word choice of "all the clearer" shows how the writers thoughts towards the shark have become more understandable.
• "So who's the monster?"


  This is a rhetorical question which makes readers think about whether or not humans are more superior than animals.