Sight Imagery
The first chapter opens with sight imagery to aid readers in comprehending childhood aspirations of Dave. The author writes, “Dave struck out across the fields, looking homeward through paling light. What's the use of talking with em niggers in the field? Anyhow, his mother was putting supper on the table. Them niggers can't understand anything. One of these days, he would get a gun and practice shooting, then they couldn't talk to him as though he were a little boy.”
Hearing imagery
The door's banging behind Dave depicts the sense of hearing to readers. Dave has headed to the gun store to inquire about its price before looking for money for its purchase. The author writes, “He came in sight of Joe's store. A yellow lantern glowed on the front porch. He mounted steps and went through the screen door, hearing it bang behind him.”
Smell imagery
The sense of smell is depicted when the author writes, “There was a strong smell of coal oil and mackerel fish. He felt very confident until he saw fat Joe walk in through the rear door, then his courage began to ooze.” The imagery is vital in engaging readers to be part of the setting and closely follow the unfolding events.
The imagery of the manhole
Fred Daniels spends most of his days underground, and the description of the tunnel depicts sight imagery. After being wrongly suspected that he murdered a white woman, Fred is hiding from the authorities. The manhole smells bad because it is filled with the sewage water. Therefore, the description of the manhole is vital in helping readers see the devastating conditions where Fred lives.
