School Money
The figurative language making symbolic comparisons in this book leans heavily toward similes over metaphors. One example that sets the template for what's to come occurs very early in the book. "School was like a giant piggy bank, loaded with quarters." This symbolic association between school and commerce is essential to the story. The book relates a tale of a kid making the transformation from a greedy capitalist toward a more socially aware economic ideology. School at this point for Greg Kenton is little more than an opportunity to sell comic books to a captive audience.
Alien
The predatory commercial instinct coursing through Greg's personality also colors his perspective toward those who do not share his ideology. "Greg looked at Mr. Z as if he was an alien." Mr. Z appears as if he is not even from the same planet as Greg—to Greg—because the teacher has innocently asked a single question. When Greg announces he plans to make millions of dollars, Mr. Z asks him what he is going to use all the money for. Only someone not from Earth—or America, at any rate—would not know the obvious answer to that query: To buy things.
The Competition
The worst thing in the world for a true believer in capitalist economics is competition. Greg's competition is another student who wants to sell her own comics. "You know what this is? Garbage! Cheap, stupid garbage—just like you!” It is notable that Greg makes the swift transition from referring to Maura's work as metaphorical rubbish to identifying Maura herself as metaphorical trash. This outburst is prompted not just by Maura's work, but by her pointing out that Greg doesn't like competition in the form of anyone coming up with good ideas besides himself.
Comic Book Success
Aesthetically, Greg thinks Maura's comic book is garbage because it doesn't follow the storytelling template. "Because a good comic book is almost like a movie. The words of a comic book are like the script. Every panel is a little scene that moves the story ahead...just like in a movie." The difference between his quality comic books and Maura's sub-standard work is that it lacks the metaphorical connection to watching a movie.
The Custodian
Mr. Percy is the name of the school custodian. Greg muses that "Mr. Percy was like the guard, always edgy until the prisoners were locked up in their cells again." This is a straightforward comparison that contributes to the perspective that Greg has toward school. He sees it as a prison with the custodian being like the guards who keep the prisoners in line.
