Raccoons
Raccoons play a significant role in the story. They exist quite literally, but there is also a symbolic aspect to their appearances. That symbolism is explicitly expressed through metaphor:
“In this part of the country, revenge was furry and wore a bandit’s mask.”
No Felines!
The say that curiosity killed the cat. In this story, the metaphorical imagery of curiosity is not only free of felines, but actually introduces a dog into the mix:
“Curiosity is a two-edge axe. I had a very curious dog when I was your age. I spent most of my time pulling porcupine quills out of its face, and washing away skunk smells.”
A Real Man
Men and women never seem to view each other in precisely the same way. Mostly, of course, they share similar views. It is the exact metaphors used in expressing perception that makes things interesting:
“To guys like me, women are like a rainbow, you pick the colour that best suits you and wear it proudly.”
That’s Some Kiss
How do you go about creating a metaphor for an all-time kiss? It’s a tough nut to crack since so many books over the centuries have included so many all-time kisses. The author here makes an interestingly unexpected choice:
“Three years’ worth of stored-up kissing and passion were waiting to be accessed and she wanted to drain the reservoir.”
History’s the Reason
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.”
