In the Dream House Metaphors and Similes

In the Dream House Metaphors and Similes

A Theater of Wildlife (Metaphor)

The metaphor "the lawn is a theater of wildlife" implies that the lawn is a dynamic and vibrant place, full of life and activity, where various animals can be observed. The comparison with a theater suggests that the animals on the lawn are like actors on a stage, each playing their own role in the larger drama of the natural world. This metaphor creates a vivid and engaging image in the reader's mind and highlights the speaker's appreciation for the natural world.

A Mountain of a Woman (Metaphor)

The metaphor "Ingrid Bergman is a mountain of a woman, tall and robust, but in this movie, she is worn down like a sand dune" highlights the difference between Ingrid Bergman's typical strong and commanding demeanor and the vulnerability and fragility of her character in the movie Gaslight. The comparison to a mountain implies that Bergman is usually a dominant and unyielding presence, while the comparison to a sand dune suggests that her character is susceptible to being worn down and molded by outside influences.

A Bright Coin Against the Sky (Metaphor)

"A few days later, the full moon rose—blood-red because of the smoke—and I went for a hike on the lake. As the moon climbed higher and higher, it escaped the smoke and became a bright coin against the sky." This metaphor compares the full moon to a bright coin against the sky. The comparison emphasizes the moon's brightness and clarity, as well as its round shape.

A Carnival Ride (Simile)

The simile "She spun her arms like a carnival ride" is used to describe the way Ms. Lily, the gym teacher, moved her arms while demonstrating body isolation to the narrator and her classmates. The comparison to a carnival ride emphasizes the energetic and playful nature of Ms. Lily's teaching style, as well as the excitement and fun of the movement she was demonstrating.

Like a Dog's Tail Gone Rigid (Simile)

Yet another example of simile: "Her voice is controlled, measured, like a dog whose tail has gone rigid; nothing is happening, but something is wrong." The author compares the character's voice to a dog whose tail has gone rigid, which is a sign of alertness, tension, or aggression. The simile suggests that the character is suppressing her emotions, and the tension in her voice implies that something is wrong. By likening the character's voice to a dog whose tail has gone rigid, the author implies that the situation is tense and something is amiss.

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