The simile creates terror because the noun 'quill' implies the permanent presence and reminder of the novella in contemporary reader's regular lives, and causing them to reflect on the duality of mankind. Modern reader: 'quills' would be associated with history and knowledge time has left behind, leaving them afraid of what secrets to be uncovered in the remainder of the novella. 'Quills' are made out of feathers, which symbolises cowardice; Stevenson intends to emphasise both Poole's and the reader's humane fear of Hyde by almost mocking them because all they are afriad of is what they are.

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