Comparison

Bringing two different things together with an explicit word, such as "like," "just as," or "seems." Unlike the metaphor, the comparison makes clear that there are two things.

In The Idiot

thanks to them, I assure you, she died almost happy. Thanks to them she forgot her black misfortune, as if she had received forgiveness from them, because to the end she considered herself a great criminal.

The phrase “as if she had received forgiveness from them” brings the children's affection close to an absolution. The comparison makes clear that it is only a resemblance: Marie still believes herself guilty, but she dies consoled.

Part One: The Arrival, Myshkin

the same joy God has every time he sees from heaven a sinner begin to pray before him with all his heart.

Part Two: The Painting, a peasant woman, quoted by Myshkin

At the foot of the bed some lace had been bunched into a ball, and on the white lace, peeking out from under the sheet, the tip of a bare foot could be made out; it looked carved from marble and was terribly still. The prince looked and felt that the more he looked, the deader and quieter the room became. Suddenly a fly that had woken buzzed, flew over the bed, and went quiet at the headboard.

Part Four: The Denouement, the narrator