Eyewink Duel of Children (Simile)
"Rather he was making the silence itself grow rapidly into its own kind of contest, like the eyewink duel of children."
In the first chapter, Chris is the narrator and he talks about the personality of His Excellency. He overpowers his subordinates in a childlike manner. He is even described by Ikem as having a childlike innocence later in the novel. This sort of manner of dealing with problems shows his insecurity as well, which will later make him turn against those closest to him and even lead to his death.
Cliché is Pauperized Ecstasy (Metaphor)
"For Cliché is but pauperized Ecstasy."
This metaphor comes from the first chapter and the narrator perfectly describes the meaning of cliché. He says that cliché is not cliché if the person has never heard of it before. He is talking about Professor Okong and how his columns filled with clichés brought ecstasy to the common people of Kangan. This means that the more ecstasy, the more ecstatic filled statements are used, and the more they become clichés.
The Girl in the Exorcist (Simile)
"I don't find it funny, people shaking hands like this...while their neck is turned away at right angles, like that girl in The Exorcist, and grinning into the camera."
Professor Okong comically describes having to take pictures for the press while shaking hands with people. The whole image is grotesque and reminiscent of the girl from the movie The Exorcist.
The Leader is a Teacher (Metaphor)
"Your Excellency is not only our leader but also our Teacher."
Continuing the comic comparison to the girl from The Exorcist, Professor Okong makes another comparison of His Excellency to a teacher. Considering the childish nature of the leader and Professor Okong being witty and articulate, we can see that this statement has irony in it. All the people around their childish leader are saying the things he wants to hear and his innocence makes him unable to notice an ironic tone as he is deeply immersed in this leader role he was given.
State Crisis is the Leader's Funeral (Metaphor)
"You know why, Professor. Because it is my funeral, that's why."
His Excellency is facing a crisis because there are demonstrations by the oppressed people of Abazon. A leader is supposed to bring order to his people. He is responsible for so many lives and when he fails the consequences of that failure are fatal to the leader.
