The swirling crowd in the market
The imagery of the crowd swirling around stalls in the market is enhanced through the use of a simile. In particular, the large number of people is emphasized through the direct comparison to a swarm of dead leaves thus facilitating imagery. The writer notes: “[he tried] to force a passage through the ragged crowd swirling around the stalls in the market like a swarm of dead leaves.”
Wallow in filth like pigs
The Mullah emphasizes the decision that some humans make to flounder in filth through the use of a simile. Comparing the wallowing of these groups of people in filth to that of pigs enhances imagery and thus facilitates a deeper conception of the depicted characteristic: “There are some among us, humans like ourselves, who have chosen to wallow in filth like pigs.”
Arm stretched like a sword
The Mullah’s stretched arm is compared to a stretched sword using a simile. This comparison evokes a sense of familiarity that makes the imagery explicit and unambiguous. The writer notes: “He stretches out an arm like a sword toward the mummy.”
The angel of death’s shining face
Tamreez provides a vivid description of the ‘angel of death’ after the explosion. In particular, a simile is used to compare the angel’s shining face to a shining star. The writer notes: “His face was crimson and shining like a star.” In this way, the imagery of the supposed ‘angel of death’ is enhanced.
The piercing wails of the infants
The severely uncomfortable nature of the sounds of the crying infants is brought out through the use of a simile. The writer notes: “…he hears infants crying. Their wails pierce his skull like a blade.” While the use of the simile enhances imagery, it also brings out the piercing and uncomfortable nature of the cries of the infants, particularly on Atiq.
