Humanity metaphor
In the following passage, Caleb criticizes humanity: "rotten and waterlogged soil, from which every noble escape, to nurture, to absorb the poison." Here he uses the metaphor of "rotten and waterlogged soil" to suggest the corruption in society and humanity.
Imprisonment metaphor
In the text, Caleb's imprisonment is a metaphor for injustice in society. Caleb is falsely accused, as Falkland uses his influence to get him arrested for stealing.
Holding breath metaphor
In the following passage, Caleb uses a metaphor to describe how poorer people in society are at the mercy of the wealthy: “Strange that men, from age to age, should consent to hold their lives at the breath of another." Poorer people are metaphorically depicted as holding their lives at the breath of the wealthy.
Poverty metaphor
Here, Caleb does not want to be wealthy due to the corruption that comes with it: "Oh, God! give me poverty! Shower upon me all the imaginary hardships of human life! I will receive them with all thankfulness." He describes being metaphorically "showered" with hardships.
