Winter (metaphor)
The phrase "The winter set in, slow and vengeful, sucking all warmth from the air" paints a vivid picture of the harshness of winter. It mirrors the internal emotional states of the characters. The slow and vengeful arrival of winter can symbolize the relentless nature of trauma and suffering. For the characters in the novel, particularly those who have experienced the horrors of residential schools, this metaphor accentuates the inescapable coldness of their emotional and psychological wounds. The external environment reflects their inner desolation and the struggle to find warmth in a world that has been unkind to them.
"Life is a Mystery" (metaphor)
This metaphor speaks to the unpredictable and enigmatic nature of life. Clara's experience in the residential school system and her subsequent struggles illustrate how life can be filled with unexpected challenges. The phrase highlights the lack of control individuals feel over their own lives, especially those who have been subjected to systemic oppression and trauma. Clara’s journey towards healing and understanding can be seen as an attempt to unravel some of the mysteries that her past has imposed on her.
Taking off a Sweater (simile)
The narrator states, "Skinning a rabbit, much like taking off a sweater, once the cuts were made on the extremities." This metaphor is used when Mariah teaches Clara the practical skills of living off the land. The comparison of skinning a rabbit to taking off a sweater serves to normalize and soften the act. It indicates a return to traditional ways and a reconnection with nature and heritage. This contrasts sharply with the violent and dehumanizing experiences Clara had in the residential school. It also implies a sense of shedding layers as Clara learns to strip away the imposed layers of her trauma.
"A Puddle of Khaki" (metaphor)
Describing Kenny's emotional breakdown as a "puddle of khaki" highlights his complete physical and emotional collapse. The khaki, likely referring to his school uniform, symbolizes the oppressive system that has stripped him of his identity and dignity. His tears mixing with his uniform on the ground illustrate the merging of his suffering with the institutional abuse he has endured. This metaphor emphasizes the nature of his pain and the way it is linked to his experiences at the residential school.
Sack of Potatoes (simile)
This simile appears during a confrontation between Maisie and Walt where Maisie physically retaliates against Walt for his actions. Comparing Walt to a "sack of potatoes" vividly describes the totality of his collapse, which emphasizes the impact of Maisie's kick. It also indicates a sense of his helplessness and lack of resistance at that moment reduces him to an inanimate object. This simile serves to underline Maisie's fierce protectiveness through the physical manifestation of her frustration. It also reflects the visceral nature of their reality where violence becomes a means of asserting control or protecting loved ones.
