How does the simile “sags like a heavy load” (lines 9–10) suggest something slightly different than the ones preceding it? Why is it set apart from the others above? Explain.
The simile "sags like a heavy load" suggests a sense of burden, weariness, and exhaustion that is not explicitly present in the preceding similes. The image of something sagging under a heavy load conveys a physical and emotional weight that is visibly weighing down on the subject.
This simile is set apart from the others above because it introduces a new element of heaviness and burden into the description, creating a shift in tone and mood. The use of the word "sags" also implies a sense of defeat or resignation, adding another layer of complexity to the comparison. By including this simile, the author is able to convey a deeper sense of struggle and hardship that contrasts with the more straightforward comparisons in the preceding lines.