The War as a Blame Game (Metaphor)
The metaphor "The war has been a godsend for people who like to blame things on things." suggests that the war has provided a convenient excuse for people to blame their problems on external factors. The phrase "godsend" implies that the war has been a blessing for those who like to shift responsibility for their problems onto something else. The metaphor suggests that people who are inclined to blame their problems on external factors are finding it easier to do so during the war, as there are many things that can be blamed on the conflict.
The Uncontrollable Brush (Simile)
"I did not wish to record my impressions of the school in session before, as I have learned to make allowance for the timid and apprehensive side of my nature which has a way, like a ghostly and mischievous extra brush, quite beyond the painter’s control, of dubbing clouds and rain squalls into the sunniest landscape."
This simile compares the narrator's "timid and apprehensive side" to a "ghostly and mischievous extra brush" that can distort reality, much like a painter's brush can add unintended strokes to a painting. The narrator is saying that their own fears and anxieties can color their perception of reality, making them see "clouds and rain squalls" even in the "sunniest landscape." In other words, the narrator is acknowledging that their own biases and emotions can affect their judgment, and that they need to be aware of this tendency in order to see things clearly.
The Supreme Being (Simile)
"Dr. Howell is rather superb, really. He’s a kind of symbol, like a sovereign or pope. He’s above the vulgar hurly-burly of school competition."
This simile compares Dr. Howell to a sovereign or pope, implying that he is a figure of great importance and authority. The comparison suggests that Dr. Howell is not just a headmaster, but a leader who is above the fray of everyday school life. The phrase "above the vulgar hurly-burly of school competition" emphasizes that Dr. Howell is not involved in the petty rivalries and conflicts that can arise among students and faculty. Instead, he is seen as a dignified and respected figure who is above such things.
The Submissive Toy (Simile)
"But I knew that I would have repelled her, awkward reedy creature that I was, and I was glad to settle for friendship and to content myself with being fussed over, like a doll in the hands of a very determined little girl."
The phrase "like a doll in the hands of a very determined little girl" is another example of a simile. The speaker is comparing himself to a doll being played with by a determined little girl, emphasizing his passive and submissive role in his friendship with Eliza. By using this simile, the speaker is suggesting that he is content to be controlled and manipulated by Eliza, much like a doll is controlled by a child. The comparison also implies that Eliza is the dominant partner, and that the speaker is happy to be fussed over and taken care of by her.
Unity and Mutual Benefit (Metaphor)
The metaphor "But if I give him youth, he gives me redemption. I enter into him and become but a pulse of a mighty being." refers to the speaker's relationship with the rector. The speaker is suggesting that by giving the rector his youth, he is able to receive redemption in return. The phrase "I enter into him and become but a pulse of a mighty being" suggests a sense of unity or oneness between the two, where the speaker is able to merge with the rector and become part of something greater than himself.
