The weakness in Macy’s legs
The narrator notes that she only runs in her dreams where a bad thing is always on the verge of happening. The weakness in her legs is emphasized through the use of a simile in which her legs are compared to jelly. The writer notes: “… and my legs felt like jelly, not strong enough to hold me.” The simile thus enhances the reader’s understanding of the weakness in Macy’s legs.
Bethany’s handwriting
The perfection of Bethany’s handwriting is brought out through the narrator’s use of a simile to compare it to the print of a typewriter. The use of the simile enhances imagery while at the same time promoting a deeper comprehension of the extent of Bethany’s perfect, flawless, and seamless handwriting. The writer notes: “[I] had always been transfixed when I saw her taking notes: her print was like a typewriter, each letter exact.”
Loneliness
Macy’s loneliness is felt in the gut as if it were a punch. The use of the simile enhances the reader’s understanding of the associated feeling of loss, aloneness, and seclusion while also emphasizing the painful nature of the feelings or experience. The writer notes: “I could feel my sudden aloneness in my gut, like a punch…”
Smelled like watermelon bubble-gum
The narrator compares the smell of the Kristy Palmetto to watermelon bubble-gum. In this way, the imagery of the girl is enhanced coupled with vivid descriptions. The writer notes: “She also had bright blue eyes and rings on every finger, and smelled like watermelon bubble-gum…”
Kristy Palmetto
The writer employs vivid descriptions to paint out the image of Kristy Palmetto in the reader’s subconscious. As she smiles, her face is said to light up like a spark lighting into a flame. The writer notes: “She turned her head and looked at me, then smiled: it changed her whole face, like a spark lighting into a flame, everything brightening…” The simile thus enhances imagery.
