An onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the sound it represents. For example, "buzz" or "sizzle" are examples of onomatopoeic words.
hyperbole, personificatioon, otomatapia ( check spelling ), simile, metaphor, and alliteration
Think of it this way: a scorpion is venomous and deadly, and often thought to only be looking out for itself. The people who live in the Big House [aka the House of the Scorpion] are the same way. They are, for the most part, vile people and don't care much for others, only looking out for themselvesThere is a glowing scorpion in El Patron's house that opens up a tunnel, but only El Patron's DNA can activate it. Matt later uses that tunnel to help him escape from the Alacrans. From 307431: I learned later alacran means scorpion, so there that's how it symbolize.