The imagery of the slipping prahus
The writer emphasizes on the image of the prahus slipping in the water by comparing the same to floating schools of dried vanilla-bean pods. In this way, the description evokes a profound image of the prahus slipping in the water. The writer notes: “…the tiny prahus used by the fishermen slipped by, like floating schools of dried vanilla-bean pods…”
The boil
The image of the boil is enhanced through the use of a simile. In particular, the appearance of the boil in Arveyda’s ear is compared to a baseball, a situation which enables its conception as massive and huge: “he discovered a boil in his left ear—a big fat juicy boil, like a baseball sticking out of his ear.” The imagery becomes more prevalent through the narrator’s use of another simile comparing the boil to “a spider’s egg sack.”
Zede’s longing for Arveyda
Zede falls deeply and irrevocably in love with Arveyda but always tries her best to suppress her feelings. However, Arveyda is all too aware of her longing for him and the writer uses a simile to enhance his understanding of her feelings: “Longing was like a note of music to him, easily read. He knew.”
Arveyda’s breath
Zede is love-stricken. Her feelings and intense desire for Arveyda is brought out through her salient attention to even the minutest details about him: his moustache, his white teeth, beard and even his breath. In the description of Arveyda, the writer uses a simile to bring out the sweet smell of Zede’s breath—like a coconut. The writer notes: “She [Zede] prayed Arveyda wouldn’t turn and look at her. He did. [...] his mustache and beard. His brown eyes that seemed so pained. His sweet breath. Like coconut.”
Love and compassion
Arveyda’s love-making takes Zede by surprise almost ‘drowning’ her. The intensity of his passion for her and the fire emanating between them is only comprehensible through the employment of a simile. The writer notes how Zede’s body comes alive and “…the hairs on her body stand like trees.” The simile makes the intensity of this love and compassion as well as its effect on Zede comprehensible.
