Contrasting Autumn
The imagery in the following sentence emphasizes the stark contrast between the autumn scenes: “In North Carolina, where we used to live, the trees changed color in the autumn, and the leaves fell, but here everywhere you look the trees are on fire.” In North Carolina, the trees changed color in the autumn and the leaves fell, which is a typical autumn scene. However, in Vermont, the trees are described as being "on fire," which is a metaphorical way of describing the vibrant colors of the leaves in the fall. The use of the word "fire" creates a vivid image of the trees being ablaze with color, emphasizing the intensity and beauty of the scene.
Moonlit Night Scene
“Mari walks up the slight incline behind the trailer to the field where the cows graze. The moon is on the wane, but it's still a pie with half its pieces left, so there is enough light to watch her by. Midfield, she stops and gazes up at the sky, slowly turning west, south, east, full circle.” The imagery in this passage describes a moonlit night scene. Mari is walking up a slight incline behind a trailer to a field where cows are grazing. The moon is on the wane, meaning it is decreasing in size, but it is still providing enough light. The metaphor "still a pie with half its pieces left" is used to describe the moon's appearance, suggesting that it is still relatively full and bright. Mari stops in the middle of the field and looks up at the sky, slowly turning in a full circle to take in her surroundings. This creates a sense of stillness and peacefulness, as Mari takes a moment to appreciate the beauty of the night sky and the natural world around her. The imagery also emphasizes the contrast between the darkness of the night and the brightness of the moon, highlighting the beauty of the scene.
The Ominous Glow
"As Tyler is angling the telescope lower in the sky, he notices a clump of stars he has never seen before. Puzzled, he stands up to orient himself. Those lights are not in the sky but on the dark edge of the horizon and getting closer. As he watches, the glare coalesces. A battalion of cars, lights flashing, is racing toward the farm without a name." The imagery describes Tyler's observation of a clump of stars that he has never seen before. However, as he continues to watch, he realizes that the lights are not in the sky but on the horizon and getting closer. The lights eventually coalesce into a battalion of cars with flashing lights that are racing towards the farm. This creates a sense of tension and danger, as the sudden appearance of the cars and their aggressive approach towards the farm suggests that something ominous is about to happen. The imagery is effective in conveying the suddenness and intensity of the approaching danger, and the contrast between the peaceful night sky and the chaotic scene unfolding on the horizon.
The Sparkling Stars
The imagery in the following passage: “Sunday night before Memorial Day, the skies suddenly clear. The stars sparkle as if they've been washed by the rain.” describes the stars sparkling as if they have been washed by the rain. This creates a vivid and beautiful image of the night sky, suggesting that the stars are shining more brightly and clearly than usual. The comparison to rain-washed stars implies a sense of freshness and purity as if the stars have been cleansed of any impurities or dullness. The imagery is effective in conveying the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and the sense of awe and reverence that it can inspire in us.
The Beauty of the Farm
“I want to go by the farm one last time. I want to see it in the early morning when the sun is coming up, how it sits so pretty in the gentle swell of the valley. The two farmhouses with the trailer between them and on the stretch behind the houses, the big red barn with the little cupolas that look like birdhouses. I want to watch the cows, black and white like scrambled puzzle pieces, coming in from the pasture to be milked, the swallows diving in and out of the open doors so fast that it's hard to follow their every move.”
The imagery describes the beauty of the farm in great detail. The author wants to visit the farm one last time and see it in the early morning light. The description of the farm sitting "so pretty in the gentle swell of the valley" creates a peaceful and idyllic image. The two farmhouses with the trailer between them and the big red barn with the little cupolas that look like birdhouses are also described in detail, giving the reader a clear picture of the farm's layout. The cows are described as "black and white like scrambled puzzle pieces," which is a creative and unique way to describe their appearance. Finally, the swallows diving in and out of the open doors of the barn are described as moving so fast that it's hard to follow their every move. Overall, the imagery in this passage is very effective in creating a vivid and beautiful picture of the farm and its surroundings.
