Watchful Crabs (simile)
The simile in the narrative compares policemen to "watchful crabs" as they are advancing, shooting, and not caring that Tom is in the way. The comparison of the policemen to crabs paints an image of them creeping slowly but still being dangerous and intimidating. It denotes that they are being cautious in their approach and that they are aware of their surroundings and what is going on. The simile also demonstrates that the policemen are indifferent to Tom and that they are more concerned with their mission than with him. This suggests a lack of empathy and a sense of detachment from Tom's situation.
Wall of Night (simile)
In the passage, the narrator uses the simile "a wall of night, black, black" to describe the Shield-Wall. The comparison highlights the immense size and imposing nature of the Shield-Wall—an impenetrable barrier built to protect the city of Shan Guo from the encroaching Traction Cities. The darkness of night is used to stress the Shield-Wall's formidable nature and demonstrate how it is capable of thwarting any attempts to penetrate it. The narrator's depiction is effective in expressing the enormity and power of the Shield-Wall. He continues that is built from "huge blocks of volcanic stone" and "armoured with the rusting deckplates of cities." By doing this, the narrator is underscoring the danger that the Shield-Wall poses to anyone who would dare to challenge it.
Loyalty (simile)
Regarding his subservience, Valentine asserts "Loyal as a dog, so long as you get paid and get to pretend that foreign." He is comparing his loyalty to Crome to the loyalty of a dog to its master. Valentine is loyal to Crome as long as he is getting paid and is allowed to pretend that he is of foreign origin. This simile highlights Valentine's duplicity, as he is willing to do whatever it takes to remain in Crome's good graces; even if it means betraying those he loves. It also shows that Valentine is keen to do anything to protect himself and his daughter, though it means turning his back on the truth.
Battlefield (metaphor)
The author uses an extended metaphor to compare Tom's relationship with Katherine to a battle between two airships. Tom is struggling to remember Katherine's face, but instead, he can only think of Hester, the person he had held on the Shield-Wall the night before. Just like how two airships battle for dominance, Tom is battling between his feelings for Katherine and Hester. The metaphor signifies that his relationship with Katherine is fragile and tenuous and that his feelings for Hester are stronger. The representation also denotes that just as the League rockets battered the 13th Floor Elevator, Tom's feelings for Hester are battering away at his feelings for Katherine.
Megaliths (simile)
In the passage, the simile used is "The huge propeller blades jutting out of the deck-plate like megaliths." It compares the huge propeller blades of the engine to megaliths, which are large prehistoric stones, usually used to mark graves or ceremonial areas. The comparison denotes that the engine blades are imposing, ancient and powerful, especially when compared to the small figures of the people around them. It also evokes a sense of awe and wonder, as if the engine is something sacred and mysterious. Hence, the simile poetically illustrates the immense size of the engine blades and the grandeur of the scene, while also hinting at the power of the ancient world.
