Much of my unassisted self, and more by the help of Biddy than of Mr. Wopsle’s great-aunt, I struggled through the alphabet as if it had been a bramble-bush; getting considerably worried and scratched by every letter. After that, I fell among those thieves, the nine figures, who seemed every evening to do something new to disguise themselves and baffle recognition.
– Charles Dickens
Great Expectations, Chapter 7. Learning the alphabet doesn’t come easy to Pip, even with the help of his friend Biddy. An extended simile compares his struggles to learn his ABCs to trying to make his way through a bramble bush and being scratched by every letter. The nine figures are the roman numbers 1-9. They are likened to thieves in a metaphor and the description of them disguising themselves is a good example of personification. When Pip says he fell among thieves this is a biblical allusion to the parable of the Good Samaritan who was robbed and beaten by thieves.