Like a ball
In Act I, Scene IV, Flutter compares the women who had formed an opinion about someone with a ball hit by a racket. The comparison has the purpose of transmitting the idea that once a woman believes she has the right opinion about someone, it is impossible to prove her otherwise. The woman’s opinion remains unchanged just as a ball’s trajectory can’t be changed after it was hit.
Women and jewels
In the first scene of the second act, women are compared with jewels a person may possess at some time or another. the reason why Doricourt compares women with jewels is to transmit the idea that just as beautiful jewels are not made to be hidden away, women should not be hidden away by their husbands who may fear they will be stolen away by other more attractive and well-spoken men. This also transmits the idea that it should be expected that men lust for other women who are not their own.
Like an empty glass
In the second scene of the second act, George compares Flutter with an empty glass in a tavern. George goes to say that just as an empty glass is filled with whatever liquid is near, Flutter adopts the idea of the people around him, without thinking for himself. Thus, this comparison has the purpose of highlighting just how weak minded Flutter is in comparison with other men and how he is unable to think for himself.
Metaphor for danger
Another metaphor used in the play is that of the city or rather of the outside world as being synonymous with danger. The metaphor is used by George, who tries to keep his wife close to him and who describes the outside world as a dangerous place in order to convince his wife not to go. This idea is accepted by other characters as well and thus the outside world becomes a metaphor for danger.
Women are like ice
The second act ends with Courtall comparing women with ice. When they are virtuous, they can appear to be like ice, cold and without fearing they will change. But, once their ideas are questioned and once they realize they may not be right, their opinions change quickly, their once reluctance to accept change melting like ice into a puddle. This comparison is important because it transmits the idea that no matter how sure a person is of her or his beliefs, they can always be subjected to change. Also, the process of change is an extremely rapid one and once it starts it can’t be stopped.
