Kim

Kim Metaphors and Similes

Adventure is a Stupendous Lark (Metaphor)

Upon hearing his late father's prophecy, Kim is preoccupied with encountering the red bull. Although Kim travels with the lama on his path to enlightenment, he's also keen to explore his own destiny. He refers to the adventure he has undertaken as a "stupendous lark—a delightful continuation of his old flights across the housetops, as well as the fulfillment of sublime prophecy."

Keeping Lights Under a Bushel (Metaphor)

When Kim experiences his first existential crisis in Chapter Seven, he is flooded with guilt and quickly tries to change his ways. His sense of self is tested, and he vows that until he sees his road more clearly, he will "keep all lights under a bushel." By this, Kim means that he will be more reserved and less charming, cunning, or eager.

The Clashing of Copper Pots (Simile)

In Chapter Ten, Kim meets Huneefa. Huneefa is a blind woman who places protective charms on the protagonist when he leaves St. Xavier's to officially begin his work as a professional spy. The narrator paints a sleazy image of Huneefa, explaining that "when she turned it was like the clashing of copper pots." This inclusion of audio imagery is because Huneefa is "decked, brow, nose, ear, neck, wrist, arm, waist, and ankle with heavy native jewelery."

Inconspicuous as a Cat (Simile)

When Kim is presented with his spy necklace, he boards a train to head on a mission in another city. While on the train, he encounters another member of the British Secret Service who is referred to as Agent E.23. E.23 explains that he is on the run from pursuers, and he worries that he will be harmed or killed when he gets off at the next stop. He then points Kim's attention to a nearby fat man who is "inconspicuous as a cat," demonstrating that his enemies are hiding in plain sight.

The Boat of the Soul (Metaphor)

The lama is very upset about his interaction with the European men. After the Russian man strikes him across the face for refusing to sell his drawing of the Great Wheel of Existence, the lama is overcome with a rage he has never felt before. He wants vengeance for the harm done to him, which in turn makes him feel extremely guilty for being angry. Due to these feelings, the lama is convinced that "the boat of [his] soul staggers," and he has strayed from his path to enlightenment.