Metaphor of Patty and Esmeralda, Chapter 16
When the tornado came through town it took the roof from the cowshed with it and all of the cows were injured in some way. The only creature who came through the experience unscathed was Esmeralda the cat. Patty likens herself to Esmeralda in that both will bend but not break. Patty also believes her father sees her as stronger and as an Esmeralda-type survivor.
Simile of the Train, Chapter 16
"The tornado came roaring through town like the Missouri Pacific."
the Missouri Pacific was a train that was fast for the age. It would charge through town noisily and with speed but was no sooner there than it was gone. This is like the tornado which blasted through town suddenly and was gone again in the blink of an eye after causing noise and havoc.
Simile of Champagne Bubbles, Chapter 10
"A journalists's life might be fun, but fun, like champagne bubbles, can't completely fill you up."
Patty is attracted to journalism as it seems fun and exciting, but fun and excitement cannot truly fill your soup and eventually you need something more meaningful, rather like champagne, which is fun and luxurious but cannot fill you up and eventually you need to consume something more substantial.
Simile of Chicken Wire, Chapter 19
"I noticed deep lines which ran like chicken wire from the corners of his eyes out to his hairline."
Mr Grimes is not as young as Patty first thought or even as young as his personality gives one to believe. His face has deep lines like chicken wire that divide his face and stretch right across it. The lines are deeply etched and patterned and illustrate the toll the years have taken on him.
Simile of Friendship, Chapter 20
"I scoured her words for the gift of friendship. Sometimes, like an optical illusion, I found it, and other times, I didn't."
Journalist Charlene Madlee's corresponded with Patty and feeling especially alone Patty wanted to believe it was out of friendship. Sometimes she was able to see friendship but believed this was like an optical illusion that enabled her to see what she wanted to see and not what was actually there.
