The Monkey
Johnson describes a monkey in the first chapter that "hoisted itself, pushing off the ground with one arm, and sat back against the tree trunk with its legs spread out before it, like somebody resting from a difficult job of labor." Here, Johnson gives us an idea about what the monkey looks like by using this simile. Johnson also describes how the monkey's belly was "expanding tremendously with every breath like a balloon," which describes how its breaths were heavy. By beginning the Tree of Smoke with the imagery of suffering, Johnson introduces the tone of the rest of the novel.
Emotions
Johnson describes William's actions after the death of the monkey in the following passage: "He felt as if everything was all his fault, and with no one around to know about it, he let himself cry like a child." By using this simile, Johnson emphasizes William's vulnerability, which is a key aspect of this novel. Indeed, one of the main themes of this novel is the expectations of "masculinity," and the fact that soldiers were expected to suppress their emotions. This imagery also emphasizes the young age of William, who is only eighteen here.
