The imagery of the newborn baby
The reception of Leon's infant brother depicts a sense of sight. The narrator says, "The nurse places the brand-new baby in his arms with its face towards Leon so they can look at each other." The imagery is significant because it shows Leon's new responsibility. The nurse reminds Leon that despite his young age, he will be responsible for caring for his younger brother. Leon's mother is psychologically unstable.
The imagery of the skin color
The description of Leon's skin color and his dad's paints a picture of a biracial family. Leon says, "I look like my dad. Mom says he is colored, but Dad says he is black, but they are both wrong because he is dark brown and I am light brown." The imagery is important because it shows the genesis of Leon's identity crisis. Leon's father is West Indian, and his mother is white. Leon struggles to understand why society in England treats him coldly despite being a human being like them.
Whistling noises
The expression of baby Jake while asleep and the noises he makes depict a sense of hearing. The narrator says, "Leon watches Jake for a few minutes because he makes special whistling noises when he breaths out, and he makes his little hands into fists like Muhammad Ali." The imagery shows the strength and prospects of baby Jake. By comparing him to Mohammad Ali, Leon means his brother is strong and healthy.
