History’s the Reason (Metaphor)
The legacy of the history of the push westward by European culture through the untamed frontier has lingering effects. To paraphrase a lyric by Gang of Four, history’s the reason that Native Americans are washed up. A metaphor here turns on the aftereffects of this unfortunate legacy: “About twice a day, a passenger train would speed through the forested hills as if afraid to stop—rumour had it there were Indians about" (73).
Like a Snake Out Hunting (Simile)
While trying to conceive a plan that will impress Maggie, John visits the diner in town to listen for any information that could spark an idea. Taylor describes John as "like a snake out hunting, he sat there, waiting for someone to say something of interest" (218). The simile here highlights how calculated John is in his actions. He is not idly waiting around at a coffee shop, observation is part of his scheme and his hunt. The image of the snake also allows the reader to supply their own cultural ideas about what a snake is: usually cunning, dangerous, and deadly.
Drain the Reservoir (Metaphor)
After around three years without dating or being romantic with anyone, Maggie has her first kiss with John: "Three years’ worth of stored-up kissing and passion were waiting to be accessed and she wanted to drain the reservoir" (185). The images here are not particularly loving or sensual, and Maggie continues to think pragmatically and practically even when lusting after a man. It does, however, suggest the depth of her passion, without being crass or explicit. The focus on resources and utilities also highlights how Maggie's brain is never far from work, as it is her responsibility as chief to manage things like local reservoirs.
Like the Dust (Simile)
In the final chapter before the epilogue, Maggie reflects on the chaos that John left behind, "Like the dust from the meteor that had wiped out the dinosaurs, it would take quite a while for things to settle" (340). This overstatement emphasizes the change wrought by Nanabush, comparing the clean-up to the KT-extinction event which covered the planet in dust for several years.
John as Disease (Simile)
Virgil does not like having John around at all, and Taylor writes, "To the boy, John seemed like some sort of flu or cold infecting his community. The longer he was around, the deeper the infection" (128). Virgil's community was healthy until John showed up, flirting with his mother, intriguing Dakota, insulting Virgil, kissing his grandmother, and otherwise bringing weird things with music and dancing and raccoons into Otter Lake.
