Evil genius
Holling's first impression of Mrs. Baker is not a positive one. He constantly complains that she "hates his guts" and plans his demise. He secretly compares her to different characters; she sometimes looks like an evil plotting genius, and sometimes as Shakespeare's Prospero spouting commands at him.
Like a queen
Mai Thi is a Vietnamese girl living in a refugee home and going to the same class as Holling. As more news of the dreadful state the American soldiers are in Vietnam come through, the tension rises, especially during the holidays, and many turn to the young girl to express their anger. One of those is the cook, Mrs. Bigio who one day tells Mai that she shouldn't even be there, sitting like a queen in refugee home, while soldiers are sitting in swamps in Vietnam.
Macduff with Macbeth's head
Holling becomes a town hero after rescuing his sister in a traffic accident. His reputation is redeemed from being a boy in yellow tights and feathers on his bum playing Shakespeare's Ariel. When he walks through the school the next day he feels like Malcolm after Macduff enters holding Macbeth's head and everyone celebrates because Malcolm will become king, but he only feels relieved because he no longer needs to seek vengeance.
Shylock
Shylock is the main antagonist from "The Merchant of Venice". As he often does, Holling compares this character to someone from his life as well. In this instance, Holling wonders if his father is like Shylock, greedy for money and meeting everyone's expectations of him.
