1.The pilot compares his severe injury to finding a dead cat on the sofa.The simile reveals that the pilot's state of mind is unsteady,due to the fact that his thoughts are wandering.

2.The repetition of "I'm going to pass out"heightens the suspense of the story because it makes the readers question if the pilot is indeed going to pass out while conducting a plane.

3.From what I know of the historical context and background of the story,I think the pilot is afraid he will land in the water because his every thought is greatly influenced by the actuality that his country is at war.Thus,his life is constantly being threatened.

4.I think the pilot went to a hospital after he described the clouds and sun as whiteness and blackness because his descriptions of the place fits that of a hospital.For citation,he sees a white enamel basin and a small medicine glass.

5. Details in the second column help reveal the author's time period and background because