In the story Blues ain't no Mockingbird there were several different story elements used.

Metaphors:

Granny making the cakes drunk.

"Go tell that man we ain't a bunch of trees."

Smilin man was smilin up a storm.

Allusions:

Bingo,

Goldilocks

Aunty

Similes:

trying to fly up out of her death like it was just a sack flown in to by mistake

...asked Tyrone, like his father when he's being extra nasty plus....

like a king

According to the narrator Granddaddy Cain had shiny black oilskin, tall, quiet, and in his grandchildren's eyes like a king. He had large, strong hands, and was very intimidating not on purpose but as a effect of his built.

The chicken hawks in the story are meant to represent the grandparents in the situation. When Granny (the female hawk) is in trouble, Granddaddy Cain (the male hawk) comes to rescue her, or in this case get Smilin and Camera away form the house and kids.