Hard heart
Juliet's fear of saying something negative about Irene's difficult situation is alluded to in the metaphor "lest out of her mouth, she betrays her hard heart." Juliet is afraid that if she speaks, she will reveal her true feelings of frustration and anger, so she avoids revealing her true feelings and instead tries to remain positive and supportive. This metaphor represents Juliet's attempt to control her emotions and reactions in order to avoid saying something hurtful. It also implies that Juliet is aware of how hard her heart is and recognizes how difficult it is to show compassion or empathy.
Stories that hurt like a wound
The simile "stories that hurt like a wound" is used to emphasize the power and depth of Alice Munro's stories. Munro's stories, like physical wounds, have the potential to cause emotional wounds that linger with the reader. This is echoed in reviews of Munro's work, with reviewers describing her stories as "quintessential," "captivating," and "astonishing."
Poison in your blood
Clark's attitude toward family is described by the simile "he thought families were like poison in your blood." It implies that Clark views the family as having a negative impact on people, causing them to become ill or suffer in some way. It also implies that Clark dislikes family and the idea of being a part of one. This could be due to his own family experiences and feelings of abandonment. It could also be a reflection of his feelings of alienation and disconnection.
Her tongue moved like a wad of wool
Sylvia's tongue moved as if it were a wad of wool. This simile is used to describe Sylvia's difficulty speaking. Her tongue is compared to a woolen material, which is heavy, thick, and not very flexible. This simile conveys the impression that Sylvia is overwhelmed and terrified, and that her tongue is unable to move quickly or easily to form words. This heightens the tense atmosphere of the scene, as Sylvia is dealing with a frightening situation.
An Angel
The simile "Penelope who had slept like an angel" is used to describe Penelope's peaceful and comfortable sleep even though the room was illuminated by the town's last streetlight. This implies that, despite having a light shining directly on her face, Penelope was able to sleep soundly and peacefully, much like an angel. The simile emphasizes Penelope's peaceful sleep and implies that she is content and at ease despite her uncomfortable surroundings.
Sturdily plump like a child who hasn’t stretched up yet
The author compares Mrs. Travers to a child who hasn't stretched yet in this simile. Mrs. Travers appears to be a petite woman who is short and plump. Although she is not tall, the comparison implies that her figure is strong and sturdy, rather than fragile or scrawny. The simile also implies that Mrs. Travers is young and energetic, with the lightheartedness and innocence of a child.
