The Color of Water - Question?

Question

What is the symbolism for "Sam was like a shadow."

I know he was very quiet and submissive, and sort of flowed in and out of the lives of the Shilskys, but how is this a symbol?

Answer 1

It's a simile - a direct comparison between to unlike objects/things using the word like or as.

Similes can be symbolic in nature; in other words the comparison of Sam to a shadow illustrates something about the nature of his character. Think about what a shadow represents, and you'll understand what you are being told about Sam. Is he dark and sinister? Is he secretive? Is he ignored, invisible, and unnoticed? Is he mysterious?