The Federales
As Demetrio Macias climbs down the ravine, he becomes increasingly overcome by fears of being caught by the Federales. The imagery of their capture is enhanced through its comparison to dogs. The use of the simile enables the reader’s conception of how the federal officers would not miss a chance to arrest them. The writer notes Macia’s thoughts: “Surely now the Federales will find our trail, and they’ll jump on us like dogs.”
Demetrio climbing towards the crest
As Demetrio wakes up startled, the writer uses a simile to enhance his imagery as he climbs towards the crest. The narrator compares him to an ant whereas the appearance of his hands is compared to claws: “Demetrio woke up, startled. Like a large red ant, he climbed toward the crest, his hands clutching like claws at the crags and cut-off branches…”
The dawning roses of San Juan
The dawning of the roses of San Juan is brought out through the use of a simile. The appearance of the roses as they bloom is enhanced through the use of the simile in which they are compared to a star beginning to spread. The writer notes: “And among the dry boulders and the parched bushes, the bright San Juan roses dawned like a white offering to the star beginning to spread its golden tendrils from stone to stone.”
The dark polished men
The dark polished men emerging from the conical heaps of reeds and rotten hay are enhanced through the use of a simile. In particular, they are compared to old bronze statues thus enhancing imagery. The writer notes: “ [The men]… were dark and polished like old bronze statues, their chests and legs bare.”
Like loyal dogs
The comparison of Pancracio, Anastasio Montanes, and Quail to loyal dogs is a simile that enhances the reader’s understanding of how prepared they were to carry out orders as given. The writer notes: “Pancracio, Anastasio Montañés, and Quail lay down at the foot of the stretcher like loyal dogs, attentive to anything their leader might need.” The simile also enhances imagery.
The rising moon
The imagery of the rising moon is enhanced through the use of a simile. Specifically, the rising aspect of it is compared to a rising thin scythe. The narrator notes: “The sky was covered with sparkling stars, and a moon was rising like a thin scythe.”
