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Idioms
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
Part 1, Chapter 1: Playing Pilgrims
Explanation and Analysis—Music:
Many characters love music in Little Women. Alcott uses auditory imagery to emphasize the importance of music. For instance, Beth has a passion for piano, and in Chapter 1 she accompanies her family before they go to bed:
No one but Beth could get much music out of the old piano, but she had a way of softly touching the yellow keys and making a pleasant accompaniment to the simple songs they sang. Meg had a voice like a flute, and she and her mother led the little choir. Amy chirped like a cricket, and Jo wandered through the airs at her own sweet will, always coming out at the wrong place with a croak or a quaver that spoiled the most pensive tune.
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Explanation and Analysis—The Sisters:
Alcott uses visual imagery to establish a good sense of the main characters. In the first few chapters, she spends many sentences describing the sisters. She follows roughly the same procedure in each description: first, she mentions the girl's age, and then she begins to describe her body type, hair, and facial features. These portraits-in-prose create a detailed and distinct image of each sister in the beginning so that readers can envision them throughout the story.
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Part 1, Chapter 5: Being Neighborly
Explanation and Analysis—Flowers:
Alcott uses a lot of flower imagery in Little Women. In Chapter 5, Laurie observes the March girls through an open window:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"Why, you see I often hear you calling to one another, and when I'm alone up here, I can't help looking over at your house, you always seem to be having such good times. I beg your pardon for being so rude, but sometimes you forget to put down the curtain at the window where the flowers are. And when the lamps are lighted, it's like looking at a picture to see the fire, and you all around the table with your mother. Her face is right opposite, and it looks so sweet behind the flowers, I can't help watching it. I haven't got any mother, you know."
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Explanation and Analysis—Mr. Laurence:
Visual imagery abounds in the text when the girls meet Mr. Laurence in Chapter 5:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"Thank you, ma'am," said a gruff voice behind her, and there, to her great dismay, stood old Mr. Laurence. Poor Jo blushed till she couldn't blush any redder, and her heart began to beat uncomfortably fast as she thought about what she had said. For a minute a wild desire to run away possessed her, but that was cowardly, and the girls would laugh at her, so she resolved to stay and get out of the scrape as she could. A second look showed her that the living eyes, under the bushy eyebrows, were kinder even than the painted ones, and there was a sly twinkle in them, which lessened her fear a good deal.
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Part 1, Chapter 8: Jo Meets Apollyon
Explanation and Analysis—Music:
Many characters love music in Little Women. Alcott uses auditory imagery to emphasize the importance of music. For instance, Beth has a passion for piano, and in Chapter 1 she accompanies her family before they go to bed:
Unlock with LitCharts A+No one but Beth could get much music out of the old piano, but she had a way of softly touching the yellow keys and making a pleasant accompaniment to the simple songs they sang. Meg had a voice like a flute, and she and her mother led the little choir. Amy chirped like a cricket, and Jo wandered through the airs at her own sweet will, always coming out at the wrong place with a croak or a quaver that spoiled the most pensive tune.
Related Themes:
Part 1, Chapter 9: Meg Goes to Vanity Fair
Explanation and Analysis—Flowers:
Alcott uses a lot of flower imagery in Little Women. In Chapter 5, Laurie observes the March girls through an open window:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"Why, you see I often hear you calling to one another, and when I'm alone up here, I can't help looking over at your house, you always seem to be having such good times. I beg your pardon for being so rude, but sometimes you forget to put down the curtain at the window where the flowers are. And when the lamps are lighted, it's like looking at a picture to see the fire, and you all around the table with your mother. Her face is right opposite, and it looks so sweet behind the flowers, I can't help watching it. I haven't got any mother, you know."
Related Themes:
