The size of the tiny looper caterpillar
The writer makes the size of the tiny looper caterpillar apparent to the reader through the use of a simile. In particular, the miniature size of the caterpillar is made explicit through its comparison to the finger and thumb of a child. The simile enhances the visualization of the tiny size of the caterpillar: “And a tiny looper caterpillar would be there, too, measuring, like a child’s finger and thumb…”
Drifting slowly up like a balloon
The jutting enclosure where the narrator stood, and particularly how it gave the impression of drifting slowly up is made explicit using a simile. In this way, its imagery as it drifts up is perceivable: “ … the jutting enclosure where I stood would seem to drift slowly up and up, like a balloon.”
The rising forest
The imagery of the forest rising at the end of the grassland is made prominent through the narrator’s use of a simile. Specifically, its impenetrability is enhanced through its comparison to a wall: “At the end of this grassy wonderland, the forest rose like a wall.”
The glistening baigneur
The baigneur’s glistening is brought out through the use of a simile in which it is compared to a seal. In this way, the imagery of its shiny and sparkly nature is enhanced: “After a dozen of these tumbles, the baigneur, glistening like a seal…”
“...like a little owl”
The curiosity of the narrator’s brother is brought through the use of a simile. Specifically, his curiosity is compared to that of a little owl, a comparison that facilitates a deeper conception of the boy’s need to understand while also enhancing imagery. The narrator notes: “My bespectacled brother […] keeps trotting out forward to peer at me with awed curiosity, like a little owl.”
