Child
Roy writes, “He (Jean Levesque) saw how her (Florentine) hands shook, frail as a child’s; he saw her collar-bones stand out in the open neck of her dress. A moment later she forgot herself so far as to rest one thrust-out hip, hiding her nervousness in a sulk." Jean asks whether they could be friends which brings out Florentine’s emotional vulnerability. She is clearly apprehensive about letting Jean into her life because he is a stranger.
Drag
Roy explains, “Florentine’s cheeks have flushed red. That was what she hated about this guy: the ability he had, after dragging her out of her depth, to banish her from his mind, leaving her like an object of no interest. Yet it was he who had, for the last few days, been making the advances.” The metaphorical dragging surmises that Jean has the power of awakening Florentine’s feelings. However, Florentine feels like an object when Jean does not give her romantic attention consistently. Florentine feels like Jean is toying with her; hence, his advances may not be genuine.
“Mother Hen”
Roy reports, “Maybe an evening here would give his mind a change, and confirm how well he (Jean) had spent the last years and how far he had risen above his former companions. Ma Philibert would cluck, like a mother hen, take him in her arms, feel the material in his suit, marvel at his healthy looks.” The metaphorical Mother hen depicts Ma Philibert’s motherly nature which would manifest upon learning about Jean’s success. Similarly, Ma Philibert is comparable to mother superior due to her best wishes for all the boys who pass through her hands.
“Poverty-Stricken Façade”
Roy explains, “On Beaudoin Street she stopped before the naked poverty-stricken façade of a frame house. At the right a low, damp, opening led to a small interior yard where windows, faintly lit, cast their glow on accumulations of junk.” This occurs after Florentine’s night out with Jean. The metaphorical ‘poverty-stricken façade’ surmises that the house’s appearance indicates that it is occupied by poor people. The house is a confirmation of the poverty that plagues Florentine’s life.
Melt
Roy describes, “Florentine melted into his arms. He had the impression of holding nothing more than a bundle of clothing, something soft, inert and damp. He held her closer and could feel how bony her shoulders were under the thin coat.” The metaphoric melting portrays Florentine romantic embrace of Jean who does not value it. For Florentine, the embrace is genuine and whole-hearted. Florentine’s melting suggests that she is feelings for Jean.
