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Definition of Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often use the connecting words "like" or "as," but can also... read full definition
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often use the connecting words "like... read full definition
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often... read full definition
The Older Brother and Moll’s First Marriage
Explanation and Analysis—Like a Bear to the Stake:
Near the beginning of the novel, when the older brother of the family Moll is raised in successfully convinces Moll to marry his younger brother Robin (despite the fact that she and the Older Brother have had a sexual relationship), she uses a simile to capture her unfortunate fate:
It was easie to see I should go to Church, like a Bear to the Stake; I had some little Apprehensions about me too, lest my new Spouse, who by the way, I had not the least Affection for, should be skilful enough to Challenge me on another Account, upon our first coming to Bed together.
Related Themes:
Moll Marries the Linen-Draper
Explanation and Analysis—Weakest of Creatures:
During one of the moments in the novel in which Moll critiques sexist aspects of her society, she calls for women to ask questions of a man’s character and fortune before agreeing to marry him (something that was frowned upon in her day). While sharing this advice, she uses a hyperbole and simile:
Unlock with LitCharts A+No Man of common Sense will value a Woman the less for not giving up herself at the first Attack, or for not accepting his Proposal without enquiring into his Person or Character; on the contrary, he must think her the weakest of all Creatures in the World […] he must have a very contemptible Opinion of her Capacities, nay, even of her Understanding, that having but one Cast for her Life, shall cast that Life away at once, and make Matrimony like Death, be a Leap in the Dark.
Related Themes:
Moll Marries the Plantation Owner
Explanation and Analysis—Like a Dog or Stranger:
After Moll realizes that her husband the Plantation Owner is actually her half-brother, she does not tell him (for fear of losing the financial stability of their marriage) but creates distance in their relationship. Here Moll describes the Plantation Owner’s frustration with her behavior, using a pair of similes in the process:
Unlock with LitCharts A+He told me I did not Treat him as if he was my Husband, or talk of my Children as if I was a Mother; and in short, that I did not deserve to be us’d as a Wife: That he had us’d all the fair Means possible with me; that he had Argu’d with all the kindness and calmness that a Husband or a Christian ought to do, and that I made him such a vile return, that I Treated him rather like a Dog than a Man, and rather like the most contemptible Stranger than a Husband.
Related Themes:
Moll and the Gentleman
Explanation and Analysis—Like Money or a Jewel:
When the Gentleman ends his years-long affair with Moll, she is once again left without consistent income. At this point in the novel, Moll takes a moment to reflect on women’s status in her society, using a simile in the process:
Unlock with LitCharts A+When a woman is thus left desolate and void of counsel, she is just like a bag of money or a jewel dropped on the highway, which is a prey to the next comer; if a man of virtue and upright principles happens to find it, he will have it cried, and the owner may come to hear of it again; but how many times shall such a thing fall into hands that will make no scruple of seizing it for their own, to once that it shall come into good hands?
Related Themes:
Moll and James in America
Explanation and Analysis—Like a Child Sobbing:
When Moll is living in Virginia for the second time, she sends a letter to her ex-husband (and half-brother) the Plantation Owner, telling him she would like to have a relationship with their son Humphry again. Humphry ends up intercepting the letter and comes to meet Moll himself. Moll describes Humphry’s reaction to finally seeing her again via a simile:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The Messenger said, there she is Sir, at which he comes directly up to me, kisses me, took me in his Arms, and embrac’d me with so much Passion, that he could not speak, but I could feel his Breast heave and throb like a Child that Cries, but Sobs, and cannot cry it out.
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