Serpent Water
This is a novel about a flood and the metaphorical focus on water begins almost immediately. “The light was penetrating the water at an angle that seemed to make it ripple just beneath its surface, so that it looked like a long serpent whose shiny body was winding its way northward through Ayudhya.” Even before the narrative has begun, the author has introduced into the text the idea of the destructive element of water—the Naga—being symbolically associated with a serpent. This will not be the last such addition to this recurring metaphorical imagery, but its placement at the beginning of the story is significant as a means of building upon the foundation of this connection.
Evil Eyes
Much later, for instance, the snake imagery has risen far up from the water. “The dark buildings looked down at him accusingly. One of them had a picture of a dragon or serpent whose eyes flashed their anger at him.” The centerpiece of this metaphorical language effectively links the broader paranoia of the river as serpent-like to the particular paranoia show to be increasing among many characters in this example. Buildings have no power to look with an accusatory stare or any other emotion, of course, so the metaphorical description slyly reflects human psychology.
Spectral Spirits
A theme of metaphors related to spectral spirits runs throughout the text. “Her face wore a wild, determined expression and this together with the bright red lipstick and thick mascara all added to the impression of a demented creature in their midst…In fact, several people gasped as they had seen an apparition.” In addition to demented creatures and apparitions, there are multiple references to ghosts and spirits. In addition, a general feeling of otherworldliness inhabits the narrative. The interesting element in this particular example is the culture shock aspect in which daily cosmetic applications in America produces an uncertain atmosphere of the uncanny in which this makeup is characterized using dark metaphor.
Gangsters
“Don was gently pushed into the back seat, where a man was waiting…The thought crossed Don's mind that it was like a scene from a gangster movie.” This may seem like a simple and straightforward image that is entirely relatable. The idea of comparing circumstances to a scene from a gangster movie is fairly universal. In reality, however, there is another level to the use of simile because part of the storyline involves a shady gangster character involved in the seamier side of Thai society. Thus, the paranoia of comparing circumstances to a scene from a movie actually has a more visceral sort of energy.
Pythons
When the threat of the devastating flood finally reaches a tipping point, the general metaphorical imagery of the serpent becomes much more precise. “Two days before the full moon the sea level was rising rapidly towards its highest level. The river, swollen like an overfed python, had burst the dam.” This specificity is inextricably connected to the story being set in Thailand. If the story were transplanted to the American Southwest, the serpent would likely finally be compared to a rattlesnake. Likewise, it would have become perhaps a black mamba if set in many sub-Saharan African countries. The pythons of Thailand are among the longest and heaviest snakes and so the comparative quality of the simile is very much related distinctly to the country’s culture.
