A simile can be found when using "like" or "as" between two things. Example: I'm as happy as a clown.
Your question would be a metaphor. Both things are being compared to a science expieriment, probably meaning that they need to have an outcome, but it isn't known for sure if it will be a good or bad outcome.
Things like this can be taken many ways, so if you think something else, I'm sure it would work as well.
Answer:
After winning the baseball tournament, the team went out for pizza to celebrate.
Answer:
The author's purpose is to highlight the persistence of racism.
Explanation:
The short story "Of the Coming of John" shows how even if a black citizen is well educated, educated and promotes the good of society, with progressive attitudes and actions, he will always be seen as inferior to white citizens, because when the population looks for him, she will see him only as a black man. This is because racism is so ingrained in our society that it prevails, regardless of the situation.
When the author quotes this short story, he wants to emphasize this theme and provoke people's reflection on the racist concepts they encourage.
