The wavy prairie
The narrator’s father uses a simile to bring out the imagery of the prairie when the wind blows. In particular, the wavy appearance that the prairie acquires when being blown by the wind is enhanced through its comparison to the ocean. The narrator notes: “My dad says when the wind blows over the prairie, it looks wavy, like the ocean.”
The narrator’s pedaling
A simile is used to compare the way that the narrator pedals to a demon. The use of the simile enhances the reader’s perception of this pedaling as brutally quick or merciless while also hinting at the fast speed the narrator is in as he pedals up the sidewalk. The narrator notes: “I steered with one hand and pedaled like a demon up the sidewalk.”
“My shoulders moved like small mountains.”
The narrator compares the movement of his shoulders to the movement of mountains. Through the use of the simile, the reader is able to comprehend the virtually unnoticeable movements of his shoulders: “I shrugged. My shoulders moved like small mountains.” The simile also enhances the imagery of his masculine shoulders.
Mike holding the broom
The imagery of the way Mike was holding the broom is enhanced through the utilization of a simile. The narrator compares his posture holding the broom to how one holds a sword in their hands. The simile thus enhances imagery. The narrator notes: “Mike grabbed the broom. He stalked over toward the wastebasket, holding the broom handle out like a sword.”
Abby’s panting
Abby’s gasping for air is made explicit through the narrator’s use of a simile to compare her panting to that of a dog. Her breathing is thus perceivable as relatively rapid, quick, and hasty. The narrator notes: “She’s panting like a dog. She’s totally drenched and muddy all over.”
