The impact of the larger destinies of mankind entering one’s life
The writer uses a simile to bring out the effect that the various larger destinies that have always remained aloof would have when they enter one’s life. In particular, the writer compares the magnitude of the effect to the effect of an earthquake. In this way, the extent of the disruptive effect of the great movements of the world and the larger destinies of mankind entering one’s life is thus comprehensible.
The writer notes: “There comes a terrible moment to many souls when the great movements of the world, the larger destinies of mankind, which have lain aloof in newspapers and other neglected reading, enter like an earthquake into their own lives.”
The ladies of the Buxton elite
The imagery of the ladies of the Buxton elite working to provisionalize the war, and in particular, their cluttering about the presiding doctor at the nursing home is made explicit via the use of a simile. The writer notes: “At the First Aid and Home Nursing classes they cluttered about the presiding doctor like hens round a barnyard cock.” In this way, the imagery of their actions and behavior is comprehensible.
Agnes Elizabeth Murray
While at college, the narrator notes that Agnes Elizabeth Murray had not acquired the elegance that had resulted in her shining (for a short time after the war) as if she were a bright meteor. The use of the simile facilitates the reader’s conception of Elizabeth’s sparkly and lively appearance: “At college, she had not yet acquired the lovely elegance which for a short time after the War caused her to shine like a bright meteor amid the constellation of humbler stars at the League of Nations Union.”
She strode like a goddess
Even though she is untidy, with unkempt hair, Elizabeth Murray walks with an aura around her, an aura that is made explicit through the use of a simile in which her strides are compared to those of a goddess. The writer notes: “Her eccentric clothes were untidy, and her straight black hair was often unkempt, but she strode like a young goddess through the Somerville students…”
Roland’s imagery
The narrator presents how Roland’s mustache and uniform had played a huge role in transforming him into a man, and one so large that he feels small in his presence. The narrator uses a simile to bring out how small he felt in Roland’s presence as if he were a dwarf. The narrator notes: “…I felt like a midget beside him.”
