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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
Part 2: The Desert
Explanation and Analysis—The Geode:
Growing up, Jeannette’s prized possession is her rock collection. Her favorite rocks are geodes, which she describes using vivid imagery:
From the outside, geodes looked like boring round rocks, but when you broke them open with a chisel and hammer, the insides were hollow, like a cave, and the walls were covered with glittering white quartz crystals or sparkling purple amethysts.
During one of her family’s many sudden moves, Jeannette is forced to choose a single rock from her collection to take with her. She selects a geode, “its insides coated with tiny white crystals.” It’s significant Jeannette considers the geode the most precious thing she owns, so precious that she takes the time to paint a picture of its rough exterior and dazzling interior. While the rock collection, in general, shows Jeannette’s desire for order in a life ruled by chaos, the geode, specifically, reflects her ability to see the good in others. Even when people or situations look bad, Jeannette views them with understanding and grace; she looks for the beauty within. For this reason, she’s one of the last Walls children to lose faith in Mom and Dad. This generosity also informs the balanced, empathetic way she writes about her family as an adult.
Related Themes:
