Previous
Hyperbole
Definition of Imagery
Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses. For instance, the following lines from Robert Frost's poem "After Apple-Picking" contain imagery that engages... read full definition
Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses. For instance, the following lines from Robert Frost's poem "After... read full definition
Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses. For instance, the following lines... read full definition
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Metal:
In Chapter 1, Claudia utilizes sensory imagery to situate readers in the setting of her and Frieda's childhood home:
Instead I tasted and smelled the acridness of tin plates and cups designed for tea parties that bored me. Instead I looked with loathing on new dresses that required a hateful bath in a galvanized zinc tub before wearing. Slipping around on the zinc, no time to play or soak, for the water chilled too fast, no time to enjoy one’s nakedness.
The taste and feel of metal dominate the scene, indicating the general emotional state of the girls' home. While their parents make sure they receive all the necessities for living, Frieda and Claudia do not grow up in an emotionally nurturing home: both of their parents are quite cold with them. Their mother's words are often sharp, cutting, like the steel blade of a knife. She is not warm or affectionate in the way children often crave. While Claudia and Frieda's mother clearly demonstrates care and love towards them, her manner is unconventional—at times, downright harsh.
This metallic sensory imagery also indicates the novel's setting within the Rust Belt—a section of the Midwest known for manufacturing, which would later suffer economic decline after the loss of industry.
Related Themes:
