What metaphors are used in The Stone Boy by Gina Berriault?

The most important metaphor of the story is the one implied by the title itself. "The Stone Boy" is named for its protagonist, nine-year-old Arnold, who symbolically turns to stone after he accidentally kills his older brother in a hunting accident. In a story composed mostly of realistic exposition, this title stands out as a striking metaphor. Stone is cold and inert. It is associated with cruelty and also with death, both of which are states of unfeeling.By the end of the story, Arnold has metaphorically turned into stone. He has become an inhuman creature; no trace of feelings nor any betrayal of emotions will escape from him.

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Death is one of the foremost themes in "The Stone Boy." It is expressed literally in Eugie's death, but this accident brings about a series of metaphoric deaths. For Arnold, Eugie's death represents not only the physical loss of his brother but also of his male ideal. Eugie's loss means that Arnold no longer has a role model upon which to base hisown life. The death of Eugie means the death of the young man that Arnold would have become.

By the end of the story, Arnold undergoes a metaphoric death of his own. As he realizes that his family has no faith in him and seems only to want to shut him out, he withdraws, not simply from his family, but from humanity in general. In essence, by the end of the story, Arnold has lost his very soul. The theme also can be found in examination of the family itself; by the time the story concludes, the family truly no longer exists. Instead, each member functions apart from the others.