Fantasy
The narrator's experience of the Domain, where he spent time with Indar and his friends, is alluded to in the simile "It began to feel like fantasy." The phrase is used to evoke a sense of wonder and possibility as if one is in a dream-like state where anything is possible. The narrator is thinking back on his time at the Domain, which was a place of possibility and freedom, and how it had abruptly ended. The Domain's fantasy-like atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the reality of the steamer, which was meant to represent the end of that dream and the beginning of a new chapter in Ferdinand's life.
Beer-glazed eyes
This metaphor is used to depict a character's distracted and distant state of mind in the narrative. The phrase "beer-glazed eyes" refers to the character's eyes being compared to those of someone who has consumed too much beer. This is meant to imply that the character is not fully present in his surroundings. The metaphor also implies that the character has been through an experience that has left him disoriented and confused. The metaphor is also used to foreshadow upcoming events, implying the character's decline in health and mental stability.
A Dead civilization
The simile "Sun and rain and bush had made the site look old, like a dead civilization" compares an abandoned town to a dead civilization. This comparison directly reflects the narrator's sense of displacement and unease as a newcomer to Nazruddin's town. The sun and rain, combined with overgrown vegetation, have rendered the once-vibrant town lifeless and forgotten. The narrator is transported to a place where the future has already passed, reminding him of his own mortality and insignificance. The description of Nazruddin's town's ruins and deprivations paints a vivid picture of a once-thriving civilization that has since been forgotten.
A house of death
The simile of the Domain house being like a house of death is used to emphasize Raymond's defeated and hopeless feelings. He is afraid of losing his job and has lost the security of his home and livelihood. This is reflected in the house, which is described as a place of death, implying that it has lost its life and hope. He can't enjoy the house because it reminds him of his struggles and failures.
Wounds on their black legs
The simile "Mud stained the children's canvas shoes red and looked like wounds on their black legs" is used to describe the march's chaotic and disorganized nature. This comparison highlights the march's difficulty and the children's lack of control over the situation. It also implies a lack of understanding of the march's purpose by the people, as the march is compared to an injury rather than something meaningful or important.
