Tender (Metaphor)
Sophie was one of the most beautiful young ladies in St. Petersburg. However, Aksenty Ivanovich would probably argue with it, because she was the most beautiful woman in the whole Russian Empire for him. It seemed that there was no flaw in her, Sophie was an embodiment of perfection. Not only was her face wonderful but her smile too. She was a proud owner of “sugar lips,” a sweet smile that could lit up a room.
The mistery (Metaphor)
Aksenty Ivanovich respected the director more than any other worker in their office. The man was convinced that the director was both concentrated and composed at the same very time. He had to be clever too! The mystery was magnified with the fact that the director liked wrapping himself “in silence.” No one knew whether he was just unsociable or too hard-working to talk.
Mercy (Metaphor)
Aksenty Ivanovich was placed in a hospital. He realized pretty quickly that it wasn’t Spain and that no one was going to treat him like a king. On the contrary, his previous life seemed to be Paradise, because his present was filled with pain and humiliation. He said, “heaven bends over me,” and started crying. He was drowning in despair.
Unpleasant (Simile)
Aksenty Ivanovich wasn’t the most diligent worker. Just like many other people, he considered it strenuous and dull. He wouldn’t be so bitter about it, if his wage was higher, but that was just a dream that was rather unlikely to come true. He also wanted to skip at least a day, because he didn’t want to look at a face of their department-chief who looked “as sour as vinegar.” It only made him dislike his office even more.
A rival (Simile)
Aksenty Ivanovich had a rival. His Sophie, who wasn’t really his, was in love with somebody else. Courtesy of Meggy’s letters, Aksenty Ivanovich knew that his rival was more attractive and more successful than him. He hated and despised that unknown man with eyes “dark and brilliant as fire” for stealing his Sophie’s love.
The truth (Simile)
Aksenty Ivanovich couldn’t not believe it. What a fool he used to be to believe that he was just “a titular councillor.” He was really “lucky” that no one tried to shut him up “in an asylum.” Now everything is clear, and “as plain as pikestaff,” he is the King of Spain.
