Uncle Toby’s pleasure of the practical part of fortification
After Uncle Toby leaves the study of projectiles hastily, he takes to the practical part of fortification, a pleasure that returned to him with a force only comprehensible through the use of a simile: “…he left off the study of projectiles in a kind of a huff, and betook himself to the practical part of fortification only; the pleasure of which, like a spring held back, returned upon him with redoubled force.” The simile thus emphasizes the force and intensity with which the passion arose and spread through him.
Corporal Trim’s loyalty
Corporal Trim’s loyalty, devotion, and allegiance are emphasized through the use of a simile. In his reassurances, Corporal Trim says: “I would work under your honor's directions like a horse…” The use of this simile thus facilitates an understanding of the way Corporal Trim would be loyal and how he would follow instructions.
The divisibility of knowledge
The divisibility of knowledge is acutely brought out via the use of a comparative approach. Unambiguously, the divisibility of knowledge is compared to that of matter. The writer notes: “Knowledge, like matter, he would affirm, was divisible in infinitum;— that the grains and scruples were as much a pan of it, as the gravitation of the whole world.”
The mind and body
In Chapter Four, the connection between the mind and body of a man is explicitly brought out through the use of a simile. Here, the effect of interfering with one is brought out as being related or having effects on the other. The writer notes: “A man's body and his mind, with the utmost reverence to both I speak it, are exactly like a jerkin, and a jerkin's lining; rumple the one—you rumple the other.”
Dr. Slop’s curses
The writer uses a simile in the presentation of Dr. Slop’s division of curses which are said to run under him. Specifically, the writer compares these curses to a running bass, an attempt at enhancing imagery. The writer notes: “Dr. Slop with his division of curses moving under him, like a running bass all the way.”
