The geranium petal
The geranium petal is compared to a ray of hope. The narrator says, "The hut was still standing; Jesus still hung on the cross, and through the window, which was sprinkled with drops of water, a single geranium petal shone like a pale red ray of hope." The simile is important because it shows Franz's hope to continue working hard despite the anticipated dark future. For instance, the annexation of Austria by Hitler sends jitters in Franz's mind, but he hopes for a better future.
Flaring up like straw
Firewood burns under the stove at a rate compared to dry straw. When Franz lit his stove in the morning, the firewood flared like straw. The narrator says, "The firewood under the stove had stayed dry, flared up like straw." The simile shows the rate at which things unfold very fast in Franz's life. The most recent is the death of Alois, his mentor. Next is the destruction of his uncle's shop because he is accused of selling items to the Jews, and days later, the country turns into anarchy.
Jellied pork sitting in his stomach like a brick
The narrator compares the jellied pork that Alois eats to a brick. The narrator says, "Alois reminded of the jellied pork at the Goldener: he should have ordered that not the roast venison, which was sitting in his stomach like a brick, despite the schnapps." The simile is important because it hints at what led to Alois' premature death.
