In the passage below, the author employs various figurative language techniques, including metaphors and similes, to enhance the imagery and emotional depth of the text. Read the following excerpt and identify the metaphor used to convey the protagonist's feelings.
As the storm raged outside, Clara felt as though her hopes were ships anchored in a harbor, battered by relentless waves and threatened by the possibility of sinking. Each flash of lightning seemed to highlight the shadows of doubt within her mind, illuminating fears she had long tried to bury. She stood at the window, a solitary tree in a tempest, yearning for reprieve but aware that the storm was a part of her journey.