Events like termites dancing (simile)
“Memorable events were always flying about his stately figure and dropping at his feet, as those winged termites driven out of the earth by late rain dance furiously around street lamps and then drop panting to the ground."
Odili describes how drama remains a steadfast aspect of Chief Nanga's life. This simile means that these "memorable events" occur consistently, and those involved suffer at the expense of the Chief.
Eating hills like yam (simile)
"You are eating all the hills like yam."
Edna comments on how quickly and expertly Odili is maneuvering his bicycle. In Western African culture, yams are a major food group that symbolize sustenance and nourishment. It is ironic that Edna makes this comment, because Odili crashes the bicycle soon after. Following the crash, Odili's masculinity and confidence are profoundly damaged.
A bird in hand (metaphor)
“Thereafter we made rapid progress with Edna’s father who, no doubt, saw me then as a bird in hand.”
When Odili awakes in the hospital, he learns of all that has happened during his four-week coma. He discovers that following the rigged election, a military coup overthrew Chief Nanga's cabinet. As a result, Edna is no longer engaged to the Minister. Odili begins to negotiate a dowry with Edna's father, who was previously adamantly opposed to their prospective relationship. "A bird in hand" is a metaphor derived from the longer proverb that says "a bird in hand is worth two in the bush," meaning that you should keep what you have rather than give it up for the chance at a greater catch. By comparing Odili to something caught in a hunt, the metaphor illustrates how Edna's father is thinking of him—as material sustenance, via a dowry. Odili is not going anywhere, and he is the best option for Edna's future.
wandering like a tramp (simile)
“A few weeks later, during the next holidays I tried to find out, but all my father did was to rave at me for wandering like a homeless tramp when I should be working at the books he sent me to school to learn.”
Odili's father compares his son's lack of focus to vagrancy. This simile reflects Hezekiah's value of education and his classist attitudes. This also demonstrates Hezekiah's initial disapproval of Odili's political involvement.
Jean like an apparition (simile)
“...unlike Jean who had remained half undissolved like some apparition as she put her things on in the dark.”
After Odili sleeps with Jean, he comments on her mysterious and cryptic behavior. In likening her to an "apparition," Odili makes it clear that he is confused and suspicious of Jean's motivations for sleeping with him. His failure to connect with Jean during their night together further magnifies their cultural differences.
