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Similes
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—The Worst Stink:
In the following example of hyperbole from Chapter 1, one of Neeley's friends declares a local river to be the "worst stink in the world":
"I bet that's the worst stink in the world," bragged another boy.
"Yeah."
And Francie whispered yeah in agreement. She was proud of that smell. It let her knew that nearby was a waterway, which, dirty though it was, joined a river that flowed out to the sea. To her, the stupendous stench suggested far-sailing ships and adventure and she was pleased with the smell.
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Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—Labor Pains:
In the following example of situational irony from Chapter 9, Katie comforts Johnny after the birth of their first child:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Johnny hardly looked at the baby. Still clutching the avocados, he knelt by Katie's bed and sobbed out his fear and worry. Katie cried with him. During the night, she had wanted him with her. Now she wished she could have had that baby secretly and gone away somewhere and when it was over come back and tell him that everything was fine.
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Chapter 19
Explanation and Analysis—The Cruelest Teachers:
In Chapter 19, the narrator discusses Francie's disillusionment with her school environment. Contrary to what a young, naive Francie expects, school is neither nurturing nor educational. In fact, Francie's teachers hound her for her poverty, with Miss Briggs in particular choosing to leave Francie disregarded and ignored at the back of the classroom. The narrator comments on Miss Briggs's behavior, pointing out its inherent situational irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The cruelest teachers were those who had come from homes similar to those of the poor children. It seemed that in their bitterness towards those unfortunate little ones, they were somehow exorcizing their own fearful background.
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Chapter 24
Explanation and Analysis—Women and Politics:
In the following example of situational irony from Chapter 24, Johnny and Katie Nolan debate politics on the evening of a New York City election. Gender politics emerge prominently in this passage:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"Yes, but they give us each a time so that the voting is staggered ... you know, not everyone coming in a bunch."
"Why?" persisted Francie.
"'Cause," Johnny evaded.
"I'll tell you why," broke in mama. "They want to keep tabs on who's voting and how. They know when each man's due at the polls and God help him if he doesn't show up to vote for Mattie."
"Women don't know anything about politics," said Johnny lighting up Mattie's cigar.
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Chapter 56
Explanation and Analysis—Francie and Ben:
At the end of Chapter 56, Francie ponders both her future and her past, reflecting on the time she spent growing up in Brooklyn as she prepares to leave for college. Francie contemplates her relationship with Ben, producing a moment of situational irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+She liked Ben. She liked him an awful lot. She wished that she could love him. If only he wasn't so sure of himself all the time. If only he'd stumble—just once. If only he needed her. Ah, well. She had five years to think it over.
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