The Chief
The introduction to the tribal chief frames the center of his character within a metaphor of personification. A simile imparts the wisdom at work behind the warrior.
“Cunning as a wolf, the old chief was a fierce and vindictive fighter.”
Religion
Vittoro, the Apache chief, offers the wisdom he has acquired over many years on a philosophical note somewhat undermined—as conversations about religion often are—by a very precise and concrete agenda. Still, it sounds wise even though it is designed merely to prove a point in pursuit of a selfish goal.
“When religion makes you act like a fool, it is a wrong religion.”
Exposition
Generally speaking, L’amour is not a writer who depends heavily upon metaphor. His use is sparse and generally to the point. Typically, he reserves his finest flights of figurative fancy for exposition of a scene that brings to colorful life the topography of the west.
“The wind talked among the junipers and brushed cheeks with the skeleton face of the cactus and along the hills walked two horses and two riders.”
Simple Similes
L’amour is far more given to simple similes that make the point, do the job and don’t draw untoward attention to themselves. The familiarity of these less artistically flighty metaphors tend to fit more smoothly with generic expectations.
“A bright star hung like a distant lamp in the sky when Honda opened his eyes.”
Tension
The use of metaphor contributes to a scene to help create tension. The Apache warriors are endowed with seemingly mystical abilities to hide and appear in complete silence. The simile’s comparison to magic is used to heightened what already seems like an otherworldly ability.
“…they began to materialize from the trees as though by magic.”
