Quarter 3: Week 4, Post A

VOCAB:

surreptitious (129): acting with or marked by stealth
sallow (126): of a sickly, yellowish color

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:

1. "He was purring loudly, like a noisy air conditioner" (135). This is an example of a simile in the book. Nikki compares the loud howling of her Mom's old cat, Smokey, to the annoying sounds of an air conditioner.
2. "For I was falling, breaking into pieces" (131). This is figurative language because Nikki is not literally falling or breaking into pieces. She uses these images to describe how broken-heartened and full of grief she is feeling after her mother's murder.
3. "...I felt a sensation like a knife going in, through my ribs--not a sharp knife but something crude and dull" (130). This is another example of a simile. After Wally tells Nikki that he is going back to his wife, she compares her hurt feelings to the feeling of a knife cutting through her gut.

QUOTE:

"I'd prepared myself for today but it seemed we were going to begin on Monday. Clare was one to change your mind for you without your consent and then to chide you for it.
'Monday you'll be prepared Nikki? Promise.'
'Maybe six? I'll try to get here by six.'
'Six! That's impossible for me.'
'But--'
'Nikki, I have a family. I have responsibilities'" (139).

I think this quote shows the high tensions in the relationship between Nikki and Clare as they both struggle to deal with their mother's death. Even the smallest thing can set them off into argument--for example, as they arrange to clean out their mother's house. Clearly, the stress of this tragic loss is getting to both of them.

THEME:

I think the theme is still centered around dealing with grief, with a strong focus on the regrets and "would've, should've, could've" feelings that one experiences after losing a loved one.