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Personification
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—Flock of Taloned Hawks:
Merricat uses a simile that describes the women of the village as a flock of angry birds when making her weekly trip into the village to purchase groceries:
I always stood perfectly straight and stiff when the children came close, because I was afraid of them. I was afraid that they might touch me and the mothers would come at me like a flock of taloned hawks; that was always the picture I had in my mind—birds descending, striking, gashing with razor claws. Today I had a great many things to buy for Constance, and it was a relief to see that there were no children in the store and not many women; take an extra turn, I thought, and said to Mr. Elbert, “Good morning.”
Related Themes:
Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis—Like Children:
Merricat uses a simile that describes her situation, following the destruction of her home by fire, to that of children in a fairy tale. Retreating with Constance to the shelter that she has created by the stream on their family property, Merricat notes:
Unlock with LitCharts A+I would cover her with leaves, like children in a story, and keep her safe and warm. Perhaps I would sing to her or tell her stories; I would bring her bright fruits and berries and water in a leaf cup. Someday we would go to the moon. I found the entrance to my hiding place and led Constance in and took her to the corner where there was a fresh pile of leaves and a blanket [...] A little purr came from the corner and I knew that Jonas had been waiting here for me.
Related Themes:
Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—Two Old Ladies:
As she and Constance comb through the burned and smashed ruins of their home for any usable items, Merricat uses two similes that compare the sisters, alternatively, to children and to elderly women:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Like children hunting for shells, or two old ladies going through dead leaves looking for pennies, we shuffled along the kitchen floor with our feet, turning over broken trash to find things which were still whole, and useful. When we had been along and across and diagonally through the kitchen we had gathered together a little pile of practical things on the kitchen table, and there was quite enough for the two of us. There were two cups with handles, and several without, and half a dozen plates, and three bowls.
