Wind is a frenzy (Metaphor)
The author calls the wind a frenzy that “lived all around, a master stamping and ranting over his own domain.” Here the author highlights the power of elemental nature. Thus, he wants to show how huge an effect it has on a man, and that a man’s power is nothing when compared with it.
Wyland is like Tit-Bits, which is not worth to be told an epic poem (Simile)
In the beginning Rutherford said that he’s not going to tell Wyland the story about Conway, because he’s not likely to take that man into his confidence: “it would be like trying to sell an epic poem to Tit-Bits.” This comparison shows true Rutherford’s attitude to Wyland: this man is like some cheap magazine, which is not worthy of having an epic, valuable story published in it.
Ambitions are maladies (Metaphor)
When Conway says that he has no ambitions, the High Lama says: "No ambitions? And how have you contrived to escape those widespread maladies?" Thus he shows how needless are these “phenomena” for people. He himself and the people of Shangri-La don’t have those: they don’t want to achieve more than they have.
Simile – plane is like a rowboat (Simile)
The author describes that the plane, where Conway and his friends were flying with an unknown pilot, “…bumped and tossed in air pockets as uncomfortably as a rowboat in a swell.” Thus he shows how powerful nature is concerning even the largest of human inventions.
