Sunset Sky
The following passage describes the sky seen from Josie's bedroom window, which highlights its vastness and the variety of colors it can take on. Klara narrates, "The sky from the bedroom rear window was far larger than the gap of sky at the store – and capable of surprising variations. Sometimes it was the color of the lemons in the fruit bowl, then could turn to the gray of the slate chopping boards. When Josie wasn’t well, it could turn the color of her vomit or her pale feces, or even develop streaks of blood. Sometimes the sky would become divided into a series of squares, each one a different shade of purple to its neighbor." The comparison of the sky's colors to everyday objects brings a relatable and tangible quality to the description. Moreover, the contrast of the sky turning to the color of Josie's vomit during her illness introduces a jarring image, reflecting the severity of her condition. The imagery of the sky emphasizes the unpredictability of nature as seen through Klara's eyes.
Rick's House
The description of Rick's house contrasts with the high-tech environments Klara is more accustomed to: “The hallway had a dark wood floor, and we walked past an open trunk in which items such as broken lamps and single shoes had been placed. Rick led the way into a large room with a wide window looking out over the fields. The furniture wasn’t modern, and didn’t interconnect like that in the Open Plan…there were books, round-face clocks, low tables.” The imagery paints Rick’s home as a space that is both cluttered and lived in with remnants of the past. The old-fashioned furniture indicates permanence, contrasting with the futuristic settings elsewhere. These descriptions demonstrate Rick’s and his mother’s marginalized status in society.
Fields of Grass
This passage describes Klara's perspective as Rick carries her through the fields toward Mr. McBain's barn. She asserts, "Now I was higher, I could see better the evening sky, and the roof of Mr McBain’s barn ahead of us. Rick moved confidently, crashing through the grass, and since his arms were occupied holding me, most of the impact was taken by his head and shoulders. I felt sorry about this, and that there was so little I could do myself to push back the grass." The imagery of the evening sky and the barn roof sets a serene and almost pastoral scene. Rick's determined movement through the grass highlights his strength and dedication. Klara's feeling of helplessness is conveyed through her regret that she cannot help push back the grass. This moment encapsulates the bond between Klara and Rick and their shared journey.
Insects at Dusk
The imagery of insects hovering in the evening light captures the transitional moment between day and night. Klara says, “My journey began reassuringly, the informal trail to Rick’s house similar to what it had been in the morning. This time I had both hands to push away the grass, and as I did so, evening insects flew up. I saw more insects hovering before me in the air, nervously exchanging positions, but unwilling to abandon their friendly clusters.” It illustrates the uncertainty Klara faces in her mission to help Josie. The insects’ movements reflect Klara’s anxieties and the precariousness of her quest. Yet, they remain in their "friendly clusters," suggesting a sense of community even in uncertain times. This imagery stresses the themes of companionship and the tension between individuality and collective identity.
Barn Shadows
Klara asserts, "The interior was filled with orange light. There were particles of hay drifting in the air like evening insects, and his patterns were falling all across the barn’s wooden floor. When I glanced behind me my own shadow looked like a tall thin tree ready to break in the wind." In this passage, she describes the interior of Mr. McBain's barn when illuminated by the setting sun. The descriptions give a sense of delicate movement and life within the stillness of the barn. This imagery accentuates Klara's awareness of her delicate existence and the unpredictability of her mission to seek the Sun's help.
