Ghostly sun (metaphor)
The very beginning of the story is introduced with a description of a sun, which “hung milky and wan behind layers of cloud above the huddled roofs of the town”. The sun appears as a ghost and creates an atmosphere of worry and agitation. Along with the weather, which is “not ice, not snow” it adds to the general image.
Emotions (Metaphor)
Tonio had a feeling that Hans had forgotten about their deal to have a walk after the school and was rather sad, but then Hans said that he did not forget, and with these words “everything in Tonio leaped and jumped for the joy”, in this way the author metaphorically represents the cheerful emotions of Tonio.
Impression of a book (Simile)
One day Tonio insists that Hans should read “Don Carlos” by Schiller, the is sure this book would create a great impression on Hans and compares “with an explosion” of words, feelings and emotions. But Hans prefers to stick to his books about horses, or rather simply to the photographs of horses.
Sparkling eyes (Simile)
Irwin Immerthal, a friend of Hans, is interested in horses and riding. He had once talked to Tonio asking his whether Tonio takes lessons of riding “with eyes like two gleaming cracks”; Irwin knew very well that Tonio wasn’t interested in riding, but still wanted to pin him in the presence of Hans.
