The stick shaped like a dagger
The writer emphasizes the shape of the stick through its particular comparison to a dagger. The use of the simile enhances imagery and thus makes the shape of the stick more perceivable. The writer notes: “…her stick shaped like a dagger.”
The uncomfortable effect of the rain
The uncomfortable and tormenting effect of the rain on Paddy Lindon is made explicit and emphasized through the use of a simile. The writer’s comparison of the effect of the rain to a devil emphasizes its ferocious and brutal impact on the man: “The rain taunted and tormented him, like a devil sent up…”
The appearance of the spit of rocks
A simile is used to enhance the imagery of the spit of rocks by directly comparing them to a finger into the sea. The development of a visual image of the rocks is thus heightened in the reader’s subconscious. The writer notes: “She walked on alone, past the spit of rocks that stuck out like a finger into the sea, crossing the stream where the stepping stones were.”
The swollen ankle
The writer’s use of a simile to compare Lucy’s swollen ankle to a big ball enhances the reader’s perception of the extent of her ankle’s swollen nature while also evoking the likelihood of a broken bone: “The ankle could have a bone broken the way it looked, black more than blue, swollen up like a big ball.”
“… wrapping her like a fog that chilled”
The possession of the Captain’s daughter by years of brooding is emphasized through the use of a simile. In particular, the aftermath of this brooding and possession is said to wrap around her like a fog that chilled. In this way, the writer facilitates imagery: “His daughter’s brooding years had created something of their own that long ago had possessed her, wrapping her like fog that chilled.”
