"For all their busy, metallic features, there was something sweet, even vulnerable about each of them." -pg. 188
Kathy is describing Tommy's drawings as if they have human qualities. This is known as an anthropomorphism, or personification. Tommy has shown Kathy his drawings of animals. However, she sees them with nails and metallic features. Drawings aren't physically sweet or vulnerable, because they do not talk or have emotion. This anthropomorphism is effective because it brings the pictures to life. It also relates the reader to the feeling Kathy got while looking at Tommy's drawings. These creatures in his drawings were done in such a way that gave Kathy a feeling of innocence and vulnerability. The personification relates that feeling towards the reader.
Can't animals show affection and vulnerability? Those aren't solely human traits, are they?
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