The Silver Balloon (metaphor)
This metaphor appears in a scene where an old man, Donald Frazier Sr., tells Virgil, “You will look up in the sky and it will be there. A big silver balloon.” This balloon symbolizes an unattainable dream or goal that feels always floating above but never accessible. In the story's context, Virgil is struggling with his stagnant life in Newark, his unfulfilled promises to his wife, and his career failures. The balloon represents a vision of something grand, but elusive like Virgil's desired success and escape from his disappointing circumstances. It highlights his sense of inadequacy, as his hopes seem as distant as a balloon drifting in the sky.
The Fake Acropolis (metaphor)
When Virgil reflects on his life at the Acropolis Place Apartments, he draws a metaphor comparing his home to the historical Acropolis of Greece: "The Acropolis of Athens, the Acropolis of Rhodes, but this wasn’t Greece. It was Delaware." However, he quickly undermines this comparison by pointing out that he is in Delaware. The metaphor is a biting commentary on Virgil's reality versus his aspirations. The Acropolis symbolizes something monumental and important but Virgil’s life in Delaware is far from that. The apartments are mundane and disappointing filled with unfulfilled potential like his life
The Orbiting Dog (metaphor)
The narrator says, "A dog was up there now, flying right over his head." This metaphor appears when Virgil is reflecting on the Sputnik 2 mission as he imagines the dog in the satellite flying above him. The dog becomes a metaphor for Virgil himself—a creature trapped in a trajectory with no clear destination. Virgil feels helpless in his life. He is caught in a system that sends him aimlessly forward with little agency over where he ends up. The dog’s journey echoes Virgil’s sense of powerlessness and confusion in a rapidly changing world.
Caterpillar Eyebrows (simile)
"His eyebrows, thick and angular, looked like bent caterpillars." This simile describes Billy Blasko's distinctive appearance during Kathleen's tennis lessons. The comparison of his eyebrows to "bent caterpillars" emphasizes both the unruly nature of his look and the natural intensity Billy projects. In the context of the story, Billy is portrayed as a serious and passionate character who influences Kathleen deeply. The image of bent caterpillars captures his unique and somewhat untamed demeanor.
Fragile Pool, Fragile Life (simile)
"The whole apparatus looked like it could fall apart at any second." This simile describes Virgil’s observation of the swimming pool's structure, comparing it to something fragile that might collapse. The comparison illustrates the pool as a metaphor for Virgil’s life, which appears to be held together precariously. Its physical state reflects the emotional instability in Virgil's relationships, particularly with his wife Kathleen. This simile highlights his anxiety and the underlying fear that his life is on the verge of unraveling.
