The figurative language used in the passage serves to illustrate the mechanical and overly systematic nature of Mr. M'Choakumchild's education. Phrases like 'like so many pianoforte legs' suggest that he and his peers were treated as mere products of a factory, lacking individuality and creativity. The expression 'answered volumes of head-breaking questions' indicates the overwhelming and perhaps impractical nature of the knowledge he was expected to acquire. Additionally, 'worked his stony way' implies a lack of warmth or passion in his learning process, while 'taken the bloom off the higher branches' suggests that his education has stripped away the beauty and vitality of learning, leaving it dry and unappealing. Overall, the narrator critiques the quality of education that prioritizes rote memorization over meaningful understanding, suggesting that Mr. M'Choakumchild's extensive knowledge may not translate into effective teaching.