Nighttime dark imagery
The author invites readers to see why Donte wants to be invisible. Donte says, "I stare at my hands. Nighttime dark. They have a life of their own. Clenching, unclenching. Fist, then no fist. I keep my shoulders relaxed; my face bland. My hands won't behave." This imagery depicts the sense of sight to readers, which is significant for two reasons. Firstly, Donte is a Black student finding it hard to cope with white students who bully and discriminate against him. Secondly, the imagery shows readers Donte's feelings about his skin color. Donte thinks that being Black is a curse and this confusion makes him question his identity.
The imagery of throwing a pencil
The injustices and wrong allegations directed toward Donte in the classroom are better demonstrated using imagery. Donte says, "I try to get along. Everyone has been against me since I started. Especially Alan. Today, he throws a pencil. It hits Samantha. I didn't through it. Sam screams. Ms. Wilson turns from the whiteboard and looks at me. Me, Nobody Else." This imagery is momentous because it shows readers the incidents that led to the wrongful arrest of Donte. Alan frames Donte for throwing a pencil to hurt Samantha, and this case gets serious. The headmaster reports the case and immediately calls the police to arrest Donte. Donte is innocent, but he is never given a chance to defend himself because no one likes him.
The superiority of the private prep school
Donte's first description of his new school shows prestige and superiority. Donte observes, "School buses, not the yellow kind, are boarding. These buses are called 'coaches.' They even have Wi-Fi and TV screens built into the seats. Parents pick up kids in SUVs, Mercedes-Benzes, and Teslas. Some kids order ubers and Lyfts. No bikes or skateboards here." Dante first creates a clear picture of his new school for readers, which reminds them that this is not an ordinary school. Students learning here are privileged in every aspect of life. Donte is lucky to be here, but his skin color will betray him. The imagery's significance is rooted in the privileges white students are exposed to compared to black students. Very few students in this school have dark skin. Donte's brother, Trey, has lighter skin and is easily accepted in the new school. However, everyone dislikes Donte, and the school believes he should be at the public school.
