The Simile of Magic
The narrator's father had a great urge to migrate to Western countries far away from home because they embraced technology. In the early nineteen-twenties, science was shaping western countries like America. The narrator compares science to magic in the early nineteen twenties when saying, "In India in the fifties, sixties, and seventies, science felt very much like magic." Science is compared to magic because of its ability to make work easier and solve complex problems that faced man during those days.
The Simile of Checkbooks
When Behri Auntie visits the narrator's home, she examines the tickets of those headed to America. Going to America at that time was compared to a jackpot of opportunities and success in life. Auntie Behri's action of examining the tickets is compared to a banker's examination of the checkbooks. The narrator says, "Silently she examined the tickets, which looked like checkbooks."
The Metaphor of America
America is used metaphorically in the book 'My Family to mean success.' In the early twentieth century, America had developed more than any other country in the world and received praise globally. Everybody wanted to go to America to get a better life and opportunities. The narrator's father is among the people who wanted to go to America because of the available opportunities. When the narrator spoke with Birju, she realized that people want to be associated with those who had the chance to go to America. Burji says, “Everybody becomes your friend when you are going to America.”
The Simile of Birju
The narrator compares Burji’s assertions and opinions to the radio announcements, which are assumed to be correct always. The narrator says, "There was a sense with Birju that he was already connected to the wider world. When he passed judgment, it felt like when the radio made an announcement, and one felt that whatever one heard had to be correct.” Consequently, the narrator confirms that Burji is always on point whenever he gives an opinion.
The Simile of Fingernail Clippings
When the narrator woke up from sleep, he realized that Birju was lying next to him. His mother and grandmother were seated on the floor, talking in undertones and making seemi between their fingers. The narrator compares the seemi to the fingernails when he says, “The seemi looked like fingernail clippings.”
