"The Shroud" and Other Short Stories

"The Shroud" and Other Short Stories Metaphors and Similes

"At him the whole village wagged its finger" (Metaphor)

The author uses this metaphor to highlight the extent to which the village is unified in its hatred of Ghisu. Premchand describes the village as one big hand waving a rejecting finger at this lazy, unmotivated slacker who defies social norms.

"To show compassion to Ghisu was to try to dye a black blanket" (Metaphor)

The narrator uses metaphor to highlight the absolute impossibility of showing compassion to Ghisu. This is because Ghisu seems to ruin every kind gesture that someone shows him. The Landlord Sahib's actions are the perfect example, since ultimately his donation finances Ghisu's drunkenness rather than Budhiya's funeral. Showing compassion to Ghisu is thus so impossible that the narrator likens it to dyeing a black blanket, a clearly impossible feat since no color can cover over black.

"As if two gigantic serpents lay coiled there" (Simile)

The narrator uses a simile to compare the sleeping Ghisu and Madhav to "two gigantic serpents" that "lay coiled there" as Budhiya suffers and eventually dies. Serpents are often associated with evil and temptation. The simile thus highlights Ghisu and Madhav's awful treatment of Budhiya as they fall asleep rather than helping her. The simile also has a somewhat ironic and sarcastic tone. Up until now, Ghisu and Madhav have been described as impoverished, cruel, and selfish. Their comparison with huge, strong serpents that are ready to attack only serves to ironically highlight their lack of power.