Immemorial Struggle (metaphor)
This metaphor describes the tangled foliage and branches in the gully as being engaged in a scuffle: "The trees locked in what seemed an immemorial struggle, one that was both necessary and inevitable." It illustrates the fierce competition among the trees for sunlight in the dense tropical wood. By describing this competition as an "immemorial struggle," the metaphor suggests that the conflict among the trees is ancient and fundamental. The phrase underlines that this struggle is a natural part of existence and essential to the ecosystem. Moreover, it highlights the larger thematic conflict between tradition and modernity, as represented by Da-duh and the narrator. In that, Da-duh and the narrator are in a metaphorical struggle for recognition and understanding of their differing worlds.
Shadow of Tradition (metaphor)
The protagonist asserts, "Her face was drowned in the shadow of an ugly rolled-brim brown felt hat." This metaphor describes Da-duh when she first appears to the narrator. The hat she wears is described as old-fashioned and perhaps unwieldy appearance. It represents how her identity and views are overshadowed by her adherence to traditions. The hat shows Da-duh’s deep-rooted attachment to the past and her resistance to change. Her face being "drowned" suggests that her perspectives are obscured by her traditional values and that she feels overwhelmed by the modern world represented by her granddaughter. This imagery establishes the tension between the old and new worlds, which highlights the tussle to reconcile cultural heritage with the encroaching modernity.
Van Gogh Suns (metaphor)
The following metaphor likens the painted scenes in the narrator’s loft to a tropical landscape. She states, "There painted seas of sugarcane and huge swirling Van Gogh suns and palm trees striding." It demonstrates the narrator's connection to their heritage and the world Da-duh represented. The statement draws a comparison to Vincent van Gogh's iconic paintings, suggesting a turbulent intensity to the scene. This association with Van Gogh also implies the narrator’s emotional struggle between her memories of the Caribbean and the current reality. Together, these elements create a metaphor that reflects the narrator's attempt to capture and hold onto the essence of their past and their cultural identity amidst the industrialized backdrop of New York.
Sugarcane Field (simile)
The narrator says, “The canes clashing like swords above my cowering head.” This simile occurs when the narrator and Da-duh walk through the sugarcane field. The narrator is struck by the physical presence of the canes, which seem to form a formidable and intimidating barrier. Therefore, this vivid comparison emphasizes the narrator's sense of vulnerability and intimidation. It highlights the narrator’s feeling of being overwhelmed by a cultural and physical landscape that is foreign to her. Furthermore, it illustrates the generational and cultural divide between her and Da-duh.
Elephant Ears (simile)
The following simile vividly captures the movement and appearance of the banana trees "whose leaves flapped like elephants ears in the wind." By likening the leaves to elephants' ears, the simile creates a striking visual image that emphasizes their size and the way they move. It conveys a sense of the leaves being large and heavy, which adds to the feeling of the tropical environment being dense. This simile contributes to the story’s setting by highlighting the sensory details of the Caribbean landscape.
