"She was the little feathered shuttlecock they could fiercely keep flying between them" (18) (Metaphor)
This metaphor is used to describe Maisie's treatment by her parents. Maisie is compared to a shuttlecock, which is a small, feathered object hit back and forth in the game of badminton. The way James compares Maisie to a small object shows her objectification by her parents; rather than see her as a person, they see her merely as a pawn in a game or battle between them. The end of this metaphor, "keep flying between them," also shows that Maisie was never allowed the chance to rest or get comfortable living with one parent since she moves from house to house every six months. This metaphor has a complex tone, because the word "fiercely" and the idea of a child being hit back and forth have negative connotations, but the comparison to a game creates a strangely playful tone overall.
"Embedded in Mrs. Wix's nature as her tooth had been socketed in her gum, the operation of extracting her would really have been a case for chloroform" (26) (Simile)
This quote is only part of a paragraph-long extended simile comparing Maisie being taken out of her mother's home, and consequently out of the care of Mrs. Wix, to a dental procedure experienced by Maisie not long before. This vivid, gruesome simile shows the closeness of Maisie and Mrs. Wix's relationship, which results in intense pain at their separation. This metaphor also objectifies Maisie again, underscoring how she is helpless to the control of adults who make the decisions about where she should live.
"His presence was like an object brought so close to her face that she couldn't see round its edges" (88) (Simile)
This simile discusses Maisie's tendency to forgive those who she is with at a current moment and forget those she is not with. While Maisie is presented throughout the novel as mature and observant beyond her years, this is a quality that could be seen as reinforcing her childlike innocence. In this case, Maisie was quite upset with Sir Claude for not visiting her for a long time, but she is unable to stay mad once she is with him. This simile shows that her forgiveness was not a purposeful decision, but rather due to not being able to focus on anything but her naive love for Sir Claude when in his presence.
"Where the fountain of knowledge, in the form usually of a high voice that she took at first to be angry, plashed in the stillness of rows of faces thrust out like empty jugs" (104) (Metaphor)
This humorous metaphor is used to illustrate the nature of the formal education system in England in the late 19th century. Maisie is mostly tutored at home, and her education takes various styles as her governesses, Miss Overmore and Mrs. Wix, have very different levels of formal education themselves. Maisie learns some skills, such as languages and music, from Miss Overmore, but mostly learns by exploring and conversing with Mrs. Wix. In comparison, the formal education system as it is shown in this metaphor takes the form of a teacher or professor, shown as a cold, stern figure, who imparts knowledge to young people who are encouraged only to listen and memorize. The education system had no room for questions, discussion, or hands-on learning. The imagery of a fountain flowing into empty jugs portrays students as vessels to be filled with facts rather than individuals to be guided in the pursuit of deeper knowledge.
"She has chucked our friend here overboard not a bit less than if she had shoved her, shrieking and pleading, out of that window and down two floors to the paving-stones" (149) (Simile)
Imagery of violent aggression perpetrated by Maisie's parents on Maisie is used throughout the book. While they do not actually commit physical violence against Maisie besides stern pushes and overly forceful hugs, these uses of simile and exaggeration impact Maisie's view of herself. This particular simile occurs when Sir Claude is telling Mrs. Wix about Maisie's mother intention to give up all responsibility of Maisie. The quote is said in front of Maisie, and rather than refute Sir Claude's claim, Maisie simply says "Oh, your friend here, dear Sir Claude, doesn't plead and shriek!" (149). This shows that Maisie has either been desensitized to such depictions of her relationship with her parents or believes Sir Claude's comparison is accurate. The comparison of Maisie's parents' decision to abandon their child with an act of physical violence implies a harsh judgment of the parents' actions.
