Almost midday (Metaphor)
As his mother ’s only child, David feels safe and loved with Genya . Although they like spending time together and always have lots of fun, Genya is quite surprised that the morning “ grows old ” and her son is still at home. It could be possible that back then, in 1907, parents were not eager to allow their children to play outdoors afternoon. That was why Genya asked her son, why he was at home in the morning.
Stream of recollections (Metaphor)
Listening to girls singing, David feels an emotion , which could be described as nostalgia. A familiar tune and the words evoke old and almost forgotten recollection s . “ Fragments of forgotten rivers floated under the lids ”, for this particular song reminds him of nature of the place he used to live a long time ago.
A man may hope (Metaphor)
Albert has a hard time. Hoping to start a new life in the New World, he faces the same problems and poverty as in Europe. On rare occasions, when his gloominess and despair are replaced with hope, Albert likes repeating that “ time may bring something ”. In spite of all troubles and a difficult life, he still has a little hope that everything is going be alright in the nearest future.
A Clown (Simile)
An endless stream of immigrants comes to America to start a new life. They are both hopeful and ambitious, ready to work and earn money. This determination to succeed changes the way they look. Colorful attire is replaced with a black and white color s cheme. Albert, who tries to forget everything about his life in Europe, becomes angry, when he notices that his son wears a colorful costume. He says that David looks “ like a clown ” , implying that bright colors of his clothes look as ridiculously as colors of a clown’s costume.
Colossal (Simile)
Genya is not only a good mother to her son, she is also an attractive woman. Although her David is too young to understand it, he can’t help but noticing how tall she is. He mentions that she is “ as tall as a tower ”. This simile doesn’t only shows a reader that Genya is tall, but also depicts child’s perception of the world.
At a loss for words (Simile)
When Swedish immigrants are finally reunited with their families, they display their affection and happiness in a very special way. They look at each other, “ breathing through open mouth like a panting dog ”. Being at a loss for words, Swedes just can’t find a way to articulate their emotions. A simile with a panting dog indicates the striking similarity between a Swedish immigrant, who meets his or her family after a long period of separation and a happy dog, which finally sees its owner , when he/she comes back home after a long day of work.
