My Family and Other Animals Metaphors and Similes

by

My Family and Other Animals Metaphors and Similes

By · Edited by Patrick Kennedy · Last reviewed

Pollen simile

When describing the charms of Corfu, Gerald says: "Gradually the magic of the island settled over us as gently and clingingly as pollen." He uses a simile to describe how the magic of Corfu is like pollen, emphasizing how the Island became part of who they are.

New day simile

Gerald describes his days in Corfu: “Each day had a tranquility a timelessness about it so that you wished it would never end. But then the dark skin of the night would peel off and there would be a fresh day waiting for us glossy and colorful as a child's transfer and with the same tinge of unreality.” The new days are described as being "glossy" and "colorful" like a "child's transfer," which emphasizes the beautiful scenery of Corfu.

The Owls simile

Gerald often describes the animals in this novel. In one passage he describes the owls: “The owls appeared now, drifting from tree to tree as silently as flakes of soot." He compares the owls to flakes of soot using a simile, which describes how they fly from the trees with an impression of lightness.

The bathing suit simile

When Gerald's mother wears her new swimming costume, the children are shocked: “We stared at the odd garment and wondered what it was for. 'What is it?' asked Larry at length. 'It's a bathing costume, of course,' said Mother. 'What on earth did you think it was?' 'It looks like a badly skinned whale,' said Larry, peering at it closely.” Gerald's mother wears an old fashioned bathing suit, and it is compared to a "badly skinned whale."

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 My Family and Other Animals

My Family and Other Animals study guide contains a biography of Gerald Durrell, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Read the Study Guide for My Family and Other Animals…