Impression of hovering (Metaphor)
A blurry impression of unsteadiness rules in granny’s bedroom, the author reaches it with the repetition of the word “float”: “Her bones felt loose, and floated around in her skin, and Doctor Harry floated like a balloon around the foot of the bed. He floated and pulled down his waistcoat. Doctor Harry appeared to float up to the ceiling and out. The pillow rose and floated under her.” The word “float” in its direct meaning means “rest or move on the surface without sinking”, thus the author wants to indicate that everything is not lost yet, she is still here, she still does not sink, even though she feels being somewhere else, not feeling even her own bones. And also it adds to her ironic attitude to the doctor, she sees him like a floating thing, which cannot be reliable.
Presence of death (Metaphor)
It is not clear from the context, but it may be concluded that granny’s daughter Hapsy is not alive, but granny constantly sees her. It is not that Hapsy is pursuing her, no, the granny looks for her herself. In this way the author adds supernatural notes into the context, but these do not provide any fear but relief and comfort. Presence of death is felt in the air, but it is a good thing, because everyone is to meet it someday. For granny Hapsy is kind of a helper for accepting it: “Hapsy came up close and said, “I thought you’d never come,” and looked at her very searchingly and said, “You haven’t changed a bit!” For granny these visions are supporting and she finds a consolation in them.
Pain from the past (Metaphor)
Memories and images from past are constantly coming over and cover granny’s conscious, and one of such is her recollection of George, a guy who was supposed to marry her but did not show up. “Thought of him was a smoky cloud from hell that moved and crept in her head” – seems that she was very hurt by this, and even so many years later this accident pursues her and still makes her pain.
Granny’s want of rest (Simile)
Granny feels not just tired, but really exhausted, and when “her eyes closed of themselves, it was like a dark curtain drawn around the bed.” She wanted rest, but most of all she wanted everyone to leave her along. Closing her eyes is compared with a curtain, and it is what she needed – rest and peace.
Doctor’s care (Simile)
Even though granny is rather harsh with the doctor, he does not show any annoyance or disrespect towards her, and his attitude is warm and patient: “doctor Harry spread a warm paw like a cushion on her forehead”. His good attitude is reflected in the warmth of his touch, and his hand is compared to a cushion, which presumes tenderness and peace.
Doctor’s look (Simile)
When granny is about to pass away, she sees a nimbus around doctor’s head: “You look like a saint, Doctor Harry, and I vow that’s as near as you’ll ever come to it.” But here again rises her ironic attitude towards him, even though he looks like a saint, he is never to become one.
