The Return of the Soldier

by Rebecca West

The Return of the Soldier: Similes 3 key examples

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
Chapter 1 
Explanation and Analysis—Kitty's Reflection:

At the beginning of The Return of the Soldier, Jenny uses a simile to characterize Kitty's narcissistic behavior. The two women are sitting in Baldry Court's nursery, discussing why they haven't heard from Chris, who is fighting in WWI. When Jenny expresses her worry, Kitty dismisses her: 

And then it was that Kitty wailed, “Ah, don’t begin to fuss,” and bent over her image in her hand-mirror as one might bend for refreshment over scented flowers.

Explanation and Analysis—The Glove:

When Jenny first meets Margaret, she uses a simile to describe Margaret's shabby and, to her, almost disgraceful appearance: 

She was repulsively furred with neglect and poverty, as even a good glove that has dropped down behind a bed in a hotel and has lain undisturbed for a day or two is repulsive [...]

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Chapter 4
Explanation and Analysis—Chris's Beauty:

While listening to Margaret tell the story of her first meeting with Chris, Jenny uses a simile to describe her cousin's appearance during his youth: 

He possessed in great measure the loveliness of young men, which is like the loveliness of the spry foal or the sapling [...] 

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