The statement "My hope is like a candle-flame quenched at midnight" is a metaphor.
1. Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as." In this case, hope is being compared to a candle-flame.
2. What is being compared: The comparison being made is between hope and a candle-flame that has been quenched at midnight. This metaphor suggests that just like a candle-flame can be extinguished suddenly and unexpectedly, hope can also be diminished or lost in a similar manner.
By using this metaphor, the author conveys the idea that hope can be fragile, fleeting, and easily extinguished, just like a candle-flame. This comparison helps create a vivid image in the reader's mind and emphasizes the delicate nature of hope.