The Roar of the Engine (Aural Imagery)
Rizal describes the scene on the lower deck of the steamboat as passengers sit “in the midst of the scraping of shovels, the roar of the engine, the hiss of escaping steam, the swash of disturbed waters, and the shrieks of the whistle.” All of these sounds provide an auditory picture of the loud and chaotic lower deck. Here passengers are amidst the sounds of machinery. This is a direct contrast to the upper deck where wealthy passengers sit under an awning watching the scene of the river go by, sheltered from the din below.
Framed in Emeralds and Sapphires (Visual Imagery)
As the steamboat passes through a lake, Rizal describes the landscape spread out before the passengers. He writes, “in the front extended the beautiful lake bordered by green shores and blue mountains, like a huge mirror, framed in emeralds and sapphires, reflecting the sky in its glass. On the right were spread out the low shores, forming bays with graceful curves, and dim there in the distance the crags of Sungray, while in the background rose Makiling, imposing and majestic, crowned with fleecy clouds.” He uses imagery to highlight the magnificent view of the lake bordered by hills and mountains and the natural beauty of the Philippines.
A Head of Cadaverous Aspect (Visual Imagery)
The friars attend Mr. Leeds’ show to ascertain the truth of his supposed sphinx head. When the sphinx head appears, even the most skeptical members are taken in by its haunted appearance, “A head of cadaverous aspect, surrounded by long and abundant black hair. It slowly opened its eyes and looked around the whole audience. Those eyes had a vivid radiance, accentuated by their cavernous sockets, and, as if deep were calling unto deep, fixed themselves upon the profound, sunken eyes of the trembling Padre Salvi, who was staring unnaturally, as though he saw a ghost.” The story that this sphinx head was brought back from the dead is reinforced by its skeletal appearance and sunken eyes, which Rizal recounts in detail.
She Was Literally Covered in Diamonds (Visual Imagery)
The Captain General arrives at Paulita and Juanito’s wedding party. His wife “was converted into a tower of artificial lights—with diamonds in her hair, diamonds around her neck, on her arms, on her shoulders, she was literally covered in diamonds.” The Countess’s outfit is an ostentatious display of wealth which perfectly captures the greed of Spanish rule. Those at the pinnacle of society have excess to extreme amounts of expendable income and, in constant competition to outdo one another, are always looking for more.
