"Inbred sentiments"
The "inbred sentiments" discussed in Burke's writing are questioned by Wollstonecraft. She asks "What do you mean by inbred sentiments? From whence do they come? How were they bred? Are they the brood of folly, which swarm like the insects of the banks of the Nile, when mud and putrefaction have enriched the languid foil?." Here she uses a simile to question the origin of the "inbred sentiments," using exaggeration to show how ridiculous this phrase is.
Fight simile
Wollstonecraft criticizes the fact that Burke often contradicts himself in his writing, saying that he "affirm[s] in one page what you deny in another." She also criticizes the fact that he "draw[s] conclusions without any previous premises," saying that this would be "something like cowardice to fight with a man who had never exercised the weapons which his opponent chose to combat with." As such, here she compares Burke's unfounded conclusions to being unprepared for a fight.
Mathematics simile
Wollstonecraft addresses Burke, saying that "when you are examining your heart, if it would not be too much like mathematical drudgery." Here, she compares the contents of Burke's heart to mathematics, suggesting it is boring.
Monster metaphor
In this text, Wollstonecraft argues that nepotism and unfair advantages from birth have a negative impact on people, saying that "The man has been changed into an artificial monster by the station in which he was born." Here, Wollstonecraft metaphorically compares the aristocratic man to a "monster," to show the negative impact that unfair advantages have had on him.
