That makes it perfect for Deza's mother's description of the rootless, itinerant children looking for family and purpose out on the road. The phrase 'dust in the wind' derives from Ecclesiastes and conveys a listless, hopeless, scattered existence. Simile: Dust in the windĭeza Malone tells Bud, 'My momma says all these poor kids on the road all alone are like dust in the wind' (73).

It effectively suggests how bad things really are. This metaphor uses a sad song as a metaphor for the troubles of joblessness, bankruptcy, and despair proliferating across the country. Metaphor: Song as MisfortuneĪ man in the Hooverville tells Bud and Bugs, 'You might think or you might hear that things are better just down the line, but they're singing the same sad song all over this country' (68). Bud never forgets this, and finds himself thinking of these metaphorical doors as he undertakes his adventure to find his father. It allows Bud to think about the moments in his life that signify a change and to know that even if something seems bad or confusing, it will lead to something good in the future. This common metaphor uses a door to suggest opportunity. Momma tells Bud, '.no matter how dark the night, when one door closes, don't worry, because another door opens' (43). This simile has added significance when we realize that she could only be this way after running away from home. This simile allows us to see her has a whirl of energy, as a vibrant and lively woman.

He describes her thusly: 'Everything moved very, very fast when Momma was near, she was like a tornado, never resting, always looking around us, never standing still' (41).

Readers only learn about Momma through the memories of the other characters, especially Bud.

Bud not buddy