Mean as Spit (Simile)
While reflecting on how she depended on the welfare office while raising Lula Ann on her own, Sweetness recalls her relief at no longer having to collect welfare because she no longer had to endure the cruelty of the welfare clerks, who were "mean as spit." In this simile, Sweetness emphasizes the cruelty of the clerks by likening their mean attitudes to the substance of spit. With this comparison, Sweetness implies that dealing with the welfare clerks is akin to being spit on.
A Cross She Will Always Carry (Metaphor)
Sweetness sees Lula Ann's blackness as something that will always be a hindrance, stating in the middle of the story that "her color is a cross she will always carry." In this metaphor, Sweetness illustrates the burden of Lula Ann's skin by using an idiom that alludes to the Biblical story of Jesus Christ having to carry to his execution the cross on which he would be crucified.
Proud as a Peacock (Simile)
Even though Sweetness struggles to make Lula Ann obey her as Lula Ann grows up, Sweetness says "the lessons I taught her paid off, and in the end she made me proud as a peacock." In this simile, Sweetness illustrates her pride at her daughter's successful career and beauty by likening herself to a peacock, an animal known for its impressive displays of plumage.
