Pillar of the Church (Metaphor)
The narrator describes the local publican as a “great and important" member of the church, comparing him to a "pillar" of the community. This comment is tongue-in-cheek: the narrator actually has a low opinion of the publican, but cites his standing with the church to explain his motivations for holding the priest's hat up for the entire funeral.
Great Pearly Drops (Metaphor)
The "old mate," absent from the funeral but described by the narrator, is said to have tears streaming down his cheeks. The size and shape of his tears are compared to pearls.
Hat like a Sunshade (Simile)
The priest's hat, which becomes a focus of attention when the publican makes a great show of holding it over his head, has a sloping brim that is compared to a "sunshade."
Broken Shell of a Soul (Metaphor)
The narrator notes how the funeral procession follows the hearse carrying an empty body, describing the dead man's soul as a "broken shell" to indicate the lack of life within.
