Answer:
Answer explained below.Step-by-step explanation:
Annie Dillard begins her essay "The Chase" with a discussion of football to create a metaphor for the events that unfold in the story. Football, like the chase, is a high-stakes game in which the players must give their all to succeed. Dillard sets up this comparison by describing how her hometown's football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, gave their all in a game against the Dallas Cowboys, and how the crowd was so invested in the outcome that they were brought to tears.
In the same way, the chase between the children and the cat becomes a high-stakes game in which both sides give their all. The children are determined to catch the cat, and the cat is determined to elude them. The chase becomes a metaphor for the struggle between predator and prey, and it takes on a significance beyond its immediate context.
This metaphor is highlighted in paragraph 13, where Dillard writes, "We ran like bandits. We ran like the wind." The use of these similes suggests that the chase has taken on a life of its own and has become something larger than just a game between children and a cat. The chase has become a battle between two forces, and the outcome will be determined by which side is more determined and more skilled.
Furthermore, the phrase "It was all or nothing" in the first paragraph reinforces the idea of high stakes and emphasizes the importance of the chase. The children are not simply playing a game; they are engaged in a struggle for survival, and the outcome will determine who is the stronger.
In summary, Dillard uses football as a metaphor for the chase, emphasizing the high stakes and the importance of the struggle between predator and prey. The comparison creates a sense of urgency and tension that drives the story forward and highlights the significance of the chase.