Which figurative language device is used in the line "In the woods, too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough"?

The use of simile in the line "In the woods, too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough" is evident through the explicit comparison made between a man shedding his years and a snake shedding its skin. The phrase "as the snake his slough" indicates that the two actions are being directly compared using "as," which is a hallmark of a simile. This device creates a vivid image and conveys the idea of renewal and transformation in both the man and the snake, suggesting that just as a snake grows and changes, a man can also leave behind his past experiences and embrace a different phase of life. This comparison highlights the natural cycle of growth and the shedding of old aspects of oneself, which underscores the theme of personal rejuvenation often found in literature.