The Garden Party

Similes

The simile “the green bushes bowed down as though they had been visited by archangels” (ll. 10-11) describes the rose bushes. The simile highlights the roses’ beauty. 

The simile “stammered like a little girl” (l. 33) is used to suggest Laura’s lack of confidence when dealing with the workers in the garden. Then, the simile “she felt just like a working-girl” (l. 86) highlights Laura’s change of attitude upon observing the workers. It also points to Laura’s inexperience, as she does not know how the working class lives and has only romantic notions about them.

The simile “blurred, unreal, like a picture in the newspaper” (l. 326) shows Laura’s attitude towards Mr. Scott’s death. After she is convinced by her mother to forget the matter, she tries to dismiss the image of the grieving widow and children from her thoughts by distancing herself from the tragedy. 

The simile “like bright birds that had alighted in the Sheridans' garden for this one afternoon” (ll. 349-350) describes the garden party’s guests. The comparison with birds suggests the guests’ elegance and their concern with their appearance.