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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
Imagery
Explanation and Analysis—At the Airport:
When Shaila and Kusum travel from Ireland to India with Kusum’s family members' caskets in tow, they are stopped at customs. Mukherjee uses imagery to bring readers into this scene, as seen in the following passage:
[The customs official] has large boils on his face. The boils swell and glow with sweat as we argue with him. He wants Kusum to wait in line and he refuses to take authority because his boss is on a tea break. But Kusum won’t let her coffins out of sight, and I shan’t desert her though I know that my parents, elderly and diabetic, must be waiting in a stuffy car in a scorching lot.
In the second line of this passage, Mukherjee uses visual imagery when describing how the custom official’s facial boils “swell and glow with sweat” as he argues with Shaila and Kusum, helping readers to understand how repulsive this man’s face is to the women. Mukherjee then uses tactile imagery when describing how Shaila’s parents “must be waiting in a stuffy car in a scorching lot,” helping readers to feel the intensity of the heat.
Both of these uses of imagery communicate the agitated and inflamed nature of this scene. Shaila and Kusum—two grieving widows—are furious that they cannot move through customs with ease after experiencing so many losses. Though the women are not themselves feeling the stuffy heat of Shaila’s parents’ car, that Shaila imagines this scene implies that she herself is feeling agitated and trapped in the airport.
This moment also highlights the frustrating nature of bureaucracy, specifically how bureaucratic institutions refuse to see people’s humanity. This comes across in the way that the customs official refuses to listen to Kusum’s pleas because, according to airport policy, he has to wait for his boss to come back from his tea break.
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Explanation and Analysis—Kusum and Pam:
Near the beginning of the story, as Shaila and Kusum are both reckoning with having lost family members in the India Air Flight 182 terrorist attack, Kusum gets into an argument with her daughter Pam. Mukherjee uses imagery in this part of the story, as seen in the following passage (which opens with Kusum speaking):
“You know what I want to do? If I didn’t have to look after you now, I’d hang myself.”
Pam’s young face goes blotchy with pain. “Thanks,” she says, “don’t let me stop you.”
“Hush,” pregnant Mrs. Sharma scolds Pam. “Leave your mother alone.” […]
Pam stands her ground. “You think I don’t know what Mummy’s thinking? Why her? that’s what. That’s sick! Mummy wishes my little sister were alive and I were dead.”
Kusum’s hand in mine is trembly hot. We continue to sit on the stairs.
Mukherjee uses imagery twice in this passage in order to help readers understand how upsetting this moment is for everyone. When she describes how Pam’s face “goes blotchy with pain” she is using visual imagery—helping readers to see how distraught Pam is—and, later, when she notes how Kusum’s hand is “trembly hot” in Shaila’s, she is using tactile imagery—helping readers to feel how anxious and upset Kusum is.
Both of these examples of imagery—as well as the dialogue that occurs around them—communicate how devastated all of the women in this scene are and how unmanageable grief can be. Kusum and Pam turn to rage as a way to process their pain, while Shaila reacts to hers by remaining quiet and numb.
Related Themes:
