The Glass Hotel Metaphors and Similes

The Glass Hotel Metaphors and Similes

The note was like a bridge between islands of static

After the girl draws her bow to play the violin, the writer uses a simile to bring out the way in which playing the violin joined the music well like the bridge. In this way, the reader is able to comprehend how the music comes together after the addition of the new component--the violin: "When she drew her bow the note was like a bridge between islands of static and Paul could hear how it all fit together, the violin and the static and the shadowy underpinning of the bass guitar; it was briefly thrilling [...]"

The impact of Annika's disinterest

The writer uses a simile in which she compares the impact of Annika's disinterest in Paul's invitation to see her some other time. Through the use of this simile, the reader is able to perceive the intensity of the other parties disinterest: "[...] and turned away fast so as not to see her disinterest, which he felt like a cold wind on his back all the way to the door."

The lying of Vincent's gloves on the ground

After Vincent removes the man's leather gloves that she had been wearing, she drops them onto the grass and the writer uses a simile in which how the gloves lie on the ground is compared to that of a dead rat. This enhances imagery in the work: "[...] Now she pulled it off and let it drop into the trampled winter grass, where it lay like a dead rat, while Paul stood useless and gaping."

Users stumbled around like extras from a zombie movie

A simile is used in the presentation and emphasis on the sketchy neighborhood where Vincent lived. In this area, people roam around aimlessly like the extras in a zombie movie. This direct comparison enhances imagery: "a run-down building across the street from a little park where users stumbled around like extras from a zombie movie."

The spreading of Melissa's finger's

Melissa's fingers are said to spread like a magician casting a spell as she emphasizes on the going out of the lights "poof." The direct comparison of her actions following her words is aimed at enhancing imagery: “It’d be exciting if it did,” Melissa said. “All the lights going out, like poof—” She spread her fingers like a magician casting a spell.

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