Tyranny (Metaphor)
Nomi often stares at the old picture of the Mouth and wonders how that happy and smiling boy has managed to turn into the Mouth. Everyone knows that the Mouth used to have “some very bad experiences in his life when he was younger.” After those experiences he “came back to Shitville” to “rule with an iron fist.” The Mouth has proved that he is a strict ruler. Nome believes that the man used to be a rebel but several years of city life has turned him into a fanatic.
Understanding (Metaphor)
The rumors had it that the Mouth was “dumped by the city girl.” He just wanted “to be able to write a poem” that “someone in the world would dig.” Though the man was Nomi’s uncle, she couldn’t love him. He was an antihero, the man who was directly responsible for the oppressive atmosphere in the village. The Mouth had too much authority and could easily destroy lives of people he didn’t like.
Rebels (Metaphor)
Nomi was famous for her infamous family. The Nickels were good people, the only problem was that they were considered rather strange. Though Nomi was just a teenager, some people expected her to behave as a mature and reasonable adult. The nurse from the hospital where Nomi’s friend, Lydia, was placed said that both Lydia and Nomi needed to have their “wings clipped.”
Like mother, like daughter (Simile)
“Your entire family is…cuckoo,” said the nurse. She “moved her index finger in small circles around her ear.” Nomi picked up “Lid’s apple-juice container and winged it at the nurse’s head.”The nurse “left the room.” First she told Nomi that she was “as crazy” as her “mother” and “then” she “left the room.” Nomi couldn’t believe it. “Oops,” she said.
Young and happy (Simile)
Many young people suffer from not being taken seriously by their parents, teachers, and the society. Nomi can’t cope with her life, the girl needs help, but every time she asks – begs – for it, she gets nothing. The main reason of it is that people don’t believe that such a young girl can have serious issues. Even the nurse whom Nomi asks for help says that Nomi is “as healthy as an ox.”
