Chicky’s veil
Minot begins the description of her character Chicky with the use of a simile. In particular, the appearance of Chicky with her black lace veil covering her head is enhanced through a comparative language use technique that sees the writer compare how the veil stays on her hair to magic: “She wears a black lace veil that stays on her hair like magic.” While the simile enhances the girl’s appearance, it also alludes to the mystic nature of her appearance.
The stiff arms
The narrator explains the different activities that they indulge in depending on the time of the year. With Castle Hill closed for the summer, the narrator brings out how they resort to rolling down the hills, an activity that makes their “arms stiff like mummies.” The use of this simile enables the conception of the rigid and firm nature of their arms while enhancing imagery.
The rumble in the car
The rumble in the car is implied as rather loud and uncomfortable. This perception is conceived based on the direct comparison of this noise to a monster growl: “A rumble goes through the car like a monster growl.” The simile also enhances an understanding of the ferocious nature of the rumble.
The speed bumps
The portrayal and imagery of the speed bump on the road and the following stripes that crisscross them are enhanced through vivid descriptions. In particular, the Minot uses a simile in which she compares the yellow stripes on the speed bumps to sea serpents that had crawled under the tar: “The speed bumps are marked with yellow stripes and it's like sea serpents have crawled under the tar.”
Scissor-kicking legs
The writer compares Sherman’s scissor-kicking legs to the wipers of a windshield. In this way, the simile enhances the imagery of this action and further appeals to the reader. The writer notes: “He's lying on the marble tile with Rummy, scissor-kicking his legs like windshield wipers.”
