Age (Metaphor)
Age always is an eternal problem for Jacob. It takes his wife Marlena from him. It does not give him an opportunity to get a job, because he is too old. "Age is a terrible thief", which delivers from the joy of life and happiness. Age "steals" health, knocks your legs out from under you and stoops your back. Its distinctive marks are pain and muddy reason. This thief is very merciless. It steals the dearest people and forces to be tormented by pain to the end of days.
Paradise (Metaphor)
The Benzini Brothers' Circus has a metaphorical meaning of paradise for the audience. This is the most amazing Circus of America. Canvas tents always pop up like mushrooms. Workers quickly put tents for the performance up. This huge Circus is a paradise, because the most beautiful miracles happen there. Beautiful decorations and costumes, acrobatic feats, performances with wild animals and all inspired music force the audience to receive unforgettable feelings.
Big love (Simile)
Jacob loves Marlena. His love isn’t alike a usual everyday occurrence. It inspires him and he wants Marlena “to melt into him, like butter on toast. He wants to absorb her” and walks around for the rest of his days with her encased in his skin. This great comparison shows that Jacob is crazy about Marlena and their relationship is candid and sincere.
Hard-working ants (Simile)
When Jacob sees how workers put the tent up for the performance, he is astonished. It is an uneasy work. Hundreds of dirty, unshaven “men pour from the train and surround it, like ants on candy, cursing and stretching and lighting cigarettes”. The narrator compares men with ants to show their assiduous desire for work.
