“the slightest rumour on a woman's name is a load of infamy on her husband's shoulders.”
Anthony Trollope was one of the most prolific writers in British history. He wrote and astounding number of books and stories and his novels generally tend toward being much longer than usual. One of the reasons that he was so productive seems to be a distinct reliance upon metaphor and simile which, of course, is a very effective way of conveying a message quickly. One can only imagine if instead of revealing himself to be a master of the form how much longer his novels would be since he would have had to use more words to essentially same the thing. The result is that his utilization of metaphor generally leans toward displays of wit rather than lending deeper meaning. Such as this example, for instance.
Colonel Osborne
Trollope also is quick to go to the power of metaphor when it comes to character description. Considering that his novels are long also as a result of being peopled with a giant cast of characters, simile becomes a powerful literary tool. For instance, notice the way he engages comparative figurative language here in order to paint a portrait of what a character is not as well as what he is:
“He was not a ravening wolf going about seeking whom he might devour, and determined to devour whatever might come in his way; but he liked that which was pleasant; and of all pleasant things the company of a pretty clever woman was to him the pleasantest.”
Dialogue
Trollope also does mind sharing the wealth. In addition to engaging metaphor and simile for expository prose, he likes to let the wit of certain characters shine. And, in fact, he shows a mastery for knowing just who is the right character to give the gift of figurative gab to. Such as Miss Spalding’s assertion to Mr. Glascock:
“If you are not overwhelmed now, you must be so used to flattery, that it has no longer any effect upon you. You must be like a drunkard, to whom wine is as water, and who thinks that brandy is not strong enough.”
Unexpected Juxtaposition
Another result of such prodigious writing is that eventually Trollope becomes bored with the standard application of comparisons for his similes—or so it seems—and decides to mix things up a little. The effect is just slightly jarring enough to make the attentive reader look at such comparisons from a new perspective:
“With all her girlish ways, she is like a rock;--nothing can move her”
Ironic Subversion
Of course, there are also plenty of occasions when Trollope uses the power of figurative language for the purpose of ironic subversion. Consider how these two sentences work together to not only create a very funny joke, but provide significant insight the character who is doing the musing:
“He was her master, and she must know that he was her master. But how was he to proceed when she refused to obey the plainest and most necessary command which he laid upon her?”
