Paranoia (Metaphor)
When Ralph calls Jay in order to inform him that their father is about to die, Jay tries everything possible to get as much information as he can and clarify every aspect. Both he and Mary know that Ralph “goes off his trolley easy”, creating problem where exists none. His strange behavior is also a result of a terrible alcohol addiction and his need for everyone’s approval.
Extremely amused (Metaphor)
When Jay and Rufus go to the cinema, they watch a comedy with extremely amusing plot. The movie is so to Jay’s liking that Rufus notices how his father’s face is “wrapped in good humor”. This is a rare moment of absolute happiness for Jay.
Sound asleep (Metaphor)
When Jay leaves, his Ford produces a horrible series of various sounds. This lasts so long that Mary starts worrying that the children could be woken up. However, she calms down, when she remembers that they are “absolutely drowned in sleep”. They see their careless and blissful dreams, while their father tries to start an engine.
Internal (Simile)
Mary, Andrew, and Hannah feel that there is someone else in the house, except them. They are also sure that it is not a human being. This makes them recollect those “as old as hills” beliefs about souls who can’t find their way straight to Heaven and have to wander around for some time.
A grandmother of a grandfather (Simile)
The Follets can be really proud because of their grandfather’s grandmother who is “a hundred and three years old”, remembers Indians and “as old as the country”.
Rage (Simile)
There is a scene in a film that Rufus and Jay watch, which depicts a man who makes passes at woman. The lady in the film is so infuriated with such a behavior that she doesn’t bother to hide her irritation. Jay says that she is “mad as a hornet”.
