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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
Key Examples in House Made of Dawn
1. The Longhair, July 20
Explanation and Analysis—Bus and Wagon:
In Chapter 1, Francisco takes his wagon to meet Abel at the bus junction. Momaday uses imagery to capture a sense of Francisco's anticipation:
Well before he came to the junction, he could hear the slow whine of the tires on the Cuba and Bloomfield road. It was a strange sound; it began at a high and descending pitch, passed, and rose again to become at last inaudible, lost in the near clatter of the rig and hoofs—lost even in the slow, directionless motion of the flies. But it was recurrent: another, and another; and he turned into the intersection and drove on to the trading post. He had come about seven miles.
Related Themes:
5. The Longhair, July 28
Explanation and Analysis—Sex and Murder:
In Chapter 6, Abel kills, Juan Reyes Fragua, who has albinism. The murder scene contains imagery that emphasizes Fragua's and Angela's roles as foils for one another:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[Fragua] closed his hands upon Abel and drew him close. Abel heard the strange excitement of the white man's breath, and the quick, uneven blowing at his ear, and felt the blue shivering lips upon him, felt even the scales of the lips and the hot slippery point of the tongue, writhing. He was sick with terror and revulsion, and he tried to fling himself away, but the white man held him close. The white immensity of flesh lay over and smothered him. He withdrew the knife and thrust again, lower, deep into the groin.
Related Themes:
6. The Longhair, August 1
Explanation and Analysis—Sex and Murder:
In Chapter 6, Abel kills, Juan Reyes Fragua, who has albinism. The murder scene contains imagery that emphasizes Fragua's and Angela's roles as foils for one another:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[Fragua] closed his hands upon Abel and drew him close. Abel heard the strange excitement of the white man's breath, and the quick, uneven blowing at his ear, and felt the blue shivering lips upon him, felt even the scales of the lips and the hot slippery point of the tongue, writhing. He was sick with terror and revulsion, and he tried to fling himself away, but the white man held him close. The white immensity of flesh lay over and smothered him. He withdrew the knife and thrust again, lower, deep into the groin.
Related Themes:
