Final answer:
The simile compares the baby doll to a cake to describe its appearance and softness, evoking a vivid and tactile image. It helps readers understand abstract ideas with concrete imagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author uses the simile "She rests on the crib—pink and soft, / like a cake in the oven" to describe the doll's appearance and softness, which is option C). This simile compares the baby doll to a cake, emphasizing the qualities of being pink, soft, and the warmth that might be associated with a cake baking in the oven. This comparison allows us to visualize the doll in a more vivid and tactile way. Similes and metaphors are used in literature to create concrete imagery from abstract ideas, helping readers understand and feel the text more deeply.