Can you help me what figurative language is that ?
“ with Gertrude gone, the tension between Ned and Julia increased. Their marriage never had been tranquil. Back in lows they had come close to separating. Now, again, their relationship was crumbling.

“ Holme’s energy and success made Ned feel even smaller than he already was inclined to feel, especially now that Julian had begun looking at him as if he had just emerged from a rendering vat at the stockyards.

“ Her harry was so handsome and dynamic, she knew that once married they would share a wonderful life of full of travel and fine possessions. She wrote of her hopes to her sister Anna