A book is a drug (Metaphor)
The author writes that reading a book was the opiate that lulled it to repose for Adeline. Thus it becomes clearer for the reader how important the reading was for the woman. She found true peace in this activity, it helped her to overcome bad mood and made her keep calm in difficult situations.
Steps are the mysterious accents of the dead (Simile)
When Pierre examines the abbey, its secret rooms and walkways, the author says that “the sound of his steps ran in echoes through the place, and seemed like the mysterious accents of the dead, reproving the sacrilegious mortal who thus dared to disturb their precincts.” This comparison helps to make the atmosphere of mysticism, to strengthen the Gothic quality of the narrative.
Woman-angel (Metaphor)
Theodore calls Adeline a suffering angel. Thus he shows his attitude to her – she is pure and innocent for him, and even sorrows don’t kill her chastity.
Another Don Quixote (Simile)
Pierre compares Theodore with Don Quixote, thus mentioning that he regards the man to be a dreamer who fights for his ideals, for justice all over the world, but his enemies are not as serpentine as he thinks, and maybe this “war” should not take place at all.
