Imagery

Hard Times

by Charles Dickens

Hard Times: Imagery 2 key examples

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
Book 1, Chapter 4
Explanation and Analysis—Made of Coarse Material:

The novel introduces Josiah Bounderby with striking imagery:

A big, loud man, with a stare and a metallic laugh. A man made out of coarse material, which seemed to have been stretched to make so much of him. A man with a great puffed head and forehead, swelled veins in his temples, and such a strained skin to his face that it seemed to hold his eyes open, and lift his eyebrows up. A man with a pervading appearance on him of being inflated like a balloon, and ready to start.

Book 1, Chapter 11
Explanation and Analysis—Fairy Palaces:

The book depicts Coketown on a typical workday using imagery that almost border on the fantastic:

The fairy palaces burst into illumination, before pale morning showed the monstrous serpents of smoke trailing themselves over Coketown. A clattering of clogs upon the pavement; a rapid ringing of bells; and the melancholy-mad elephants, polished and oiled up for the day’s monotony, were at their heavy exercise again.

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