Sunday in the Park

Similes

The woman describes the university where Morton works as “factorylike” (p. 1, l. 19). This suggests the bleakness of the building as opposed to the bright, sunny park where they spend their Sunday afternoon, but it also implies its specific routine. Together with the phrase “cooped up” (p. 1, l. 18), the university is seen as a restrictive but sheltered environment, where Morton spends most of his time. The ‘factorylike’ university follows certain rules, while the park, although sunny and bright, is an environment where anything can happen.

The woman describes Larry’s shoulder blades as “winglike” (p. 2, l. 56). The simile suggests she sees her son as vulnerable and precious. 

After they leave the park, the woman feels “as if all three of them were tracking mud along the street” (p. 2, ll. 60-61). The simile shows that the women feels that they have somehow become tainted in the aftermath of the conflict with the man on the bench and his son, as if the incident was a stain on their reputation. Secondly, it is an allusion to the woman’s muddy (unclear) state of mind, as she does not know what to make of her own thoughts and feelings regarding what happened. Rationally, the woman believes Morton made the right decision not to fight, but emotionally, she cannot help but feel resentment towards him for his shameful retreat.