



Like a ship, the church is powerful, directed by an unseen force, and offers support in navigating the unknown. It is described as a ship, “high-prowed” and steered by its crew “towards infinity.” This metaphor emphasizes the role that the church plays in guiding some people through the sea of life. The church, rather than the dead woman, is the focal point of the scene. The emphasis on the suddenness and intensity of the feeling also helps to create a sense of tension and drama at this early point in the book. The use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a powerful impression of Helen's infatuation and its impact on her. She is so overcome with them that they are making her ill. By using this language, the author emphasizes the overwhelming nature of Helen's feelings, and the fact that they are not easily contained or controlled. The choice of words used to describe Helen's infatuation and her subsequent "illness" also serves to highlight the intensity of her sudden emotions. This metaphor emphasizes the extent to which Helen's infatuation has taken hold of her, and suggests that she cannot simply shake it off. The use of the word "burst" suggests a sudden and explosive release of feeling, while the reference to "reverberations" evokes echoes and aftershocks that continue to thump through her.įorster also employs the metaphor of illness to describe Helen's condition, portraying her as a "serious patient" who is "sick" with love for the Wilcoxes. Rather than falling gradually in love, the feeling “burst” on her, giving the reader a sense of its mighty power. The use of auditory imagery folded into the simile of the “thunder clap” reinforces the shocking and sudden nature of Helen’s regard.
