Living like an animal (Simile)
White man’s life in the camp reminds nothing but a life of a poor animal, “when it rained he lapped rainwater from the ground like a dog”. His position was so low in that society that he had even to fight for his food with other dogs. But with time Crows got used to him, but still “he did not belong, but he was amusing to the Crows, like a strange pet”, meaning that he had earned some attention already, but not enough to achieve respect yet. Comparing his existence with that of an animal, the author shows his development in the camp from an animal to a man.
Old woman’s description (Metaphor)
When describing his owner, an old lady called Greasy Hand, the white man is not very rich in flourishing expressions, “a dreadful sag of skin and bones”- is the most vivid expression he call her. But beneath this “sag of skin and bones” hides a woman, who has mourned a lot, and that all must had been a reason she became bossy and evil, but still she was “a devilish hard worker”, meaning that she still had purpose to live.
Horse (Metaphor)
Throughout the entire text a horse becomes a very important figure. First the white man is being brought into the camp like a horse, later he understood that being a horse is much of a benefit that being a dog, thus he decided to be like this animal as “the captive was a horse all summer, a docile bearer of burdens, careful and patient.” The main characteristics of a horse, such as obedience and submissiveness, help the white man achieve recognition within Crows, and they started to trust him, which helped him to obtain two horses in a battle, and this in turn helped him to marry Pretty Calf, and become a society member. No surprise that the hero chooses his name himself, and it is Horse.
Privileges of comfort (Metaphor)
The captive’s life in the camp was far not the same he was used to. He lived outside, and “remembering the warmth of the home that was waiting in Boston” was really upset, but this emotion was among those he could not afford, because it was future to think about. Under “warmth of the home” the author means careless life, no worry of such things as food and clothes.
