In the Woods Metaphors and Similes

by

In the Woods Metaphors and Similes

Relationship between detectives and the truth

Detective Ryan describes it as, 'Our relationship with the truth is fundamental but cracked, refracting confusingly like fragmented glass.' In the description, the detective uses a simile which likens their relationship with the truth to a fragmented glass' refraction.

Metaphors to describe the truth

The narrator describes it as, 'The truth is the most desirable woman in the world and we are the most jealous lovers.' In the description, the words 'desirable woman' are metaphorical for the truth. In addition to that, the words 'the most jealous lovers' are metaphorical for the detectives. The metaphor shows how important or desirable the truth is to the detectives.

Simile to describe disintegrating faith

While Detective Ryan is interviewing a girl, he lies to her to the extent that she stops having faith on her boyfriend. The detective describes this using the following simile, '... that finally her faith in four shared years disintegrates like a sand castle.' The simile has likened the failing of the faith to a sand castle breaking down.

Metaphor to describe the budding friendship between Ryan and Cassie

When the detective spends sometime with Cassie, he stops lusting after her and starts to like her as a person. Ryan describes their growing friendship as, '... we planted seeds without thinking, and woke up to our own private beanstalk.' The 'seeds' are metaphorical for their growing friendship.

Ryan's perception of the reality

Ryan describes his perception to reality using the following simile, '... and the reality had bewildered and let down, like a child opening a glittering Christmas present and finding woolly socks inside.' The simile has likened the disappointing reality to the disappointment of a Christmas present to a child.

Update this section!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this section.

Update this section

After you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.

Cite this page

Study Guide for In the Woods

In the Woods study guide contains a biography of Tana French, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Read the Study Guide for In the Woods…

Essays for In the Woods

In the Woods essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of In the Woods by Tana French.

Wikipedia Entries for In the Woods

View Wikipedia Entries for In the Woods…