The River Barrow (Simile)
The Barrow is the longest of the Three Sister Rivers in Ireland. In the first chapter, Keegan compares the River Barrow's color to stout, which is a type of dark beer. This simile allows the reader to easily imagine the dark water rising during the rainy winter months. It invokes a drink from local cuisine, which grounds the passage with a sense of place. Although stout is originally British, Guinness (an iconic Irish stout) is popularly worldwide.
Empty Sack (Idiom)
In the first chapter, Mrs. Kehoe (who often speaks in idioms) says, "The empty sack cannot stand." This idiom means that a hungry person must eat to keep functioning and that, more broadly, a poor person must work in order to earn a living. It applies to Furlong's men because they must work hard in order to eat. If the metaphorical sack remains empty, it will collapse in on itself.
Wing (Idiom)
Furlong describes how Mrs. Wilson took him "under her wing" since she had no children of her own. To take someone under your wing means to help, teach, or take care of that person, especially if they have less experience. This evokes the image of physical protection as well as flight. Mrs. Wilson takes Furlong under her wing by allowing him and his mother to live in her home, supporting Furlong's literacy, and overall showing kindness. She also helps him get started in his married life by gifting him money.
Failing Business (Metaphor)
In the second chapter, Furlong recounts how Eileen's former bosses had to cease their operations because "business was stone cold." The auctioneer who makes this statement compares the lack of opportunities to something lifeless.
Selling Ice to Eskimos (Simile)
The same auctioneer who calls the business where Eileen used to work "stone cold" goes on to say "that he might as well be trying to sell ice to the Eskimos." In other words, his business has become obsolete.
