Joan's longing for freedom
After she realizes that she is going to be condemned to life in prison, Joan gives an impassioned speech explaining her need for freedom. She uses imagery to evoke both the pleasure of being able to walk freely in nature and the horrors of being confined in a dark, damp cell. Joan's imagery makes clear what a stark contrast exists between a free life and an imprisoned one: in fact, the latter is worse than death. The imagery is important because it shows how strongly Joan feels about her freedom, explaining why she would rather be executed than live a life in prison. The imagery also reveals Joan to be someone who can experience earthly pleasure, not solely focused on the heavenly world. While she loves God, she also loves being able to walk in the fields and hear the birds sing.
The setting of the epilogue
While most of the other stage directions are fairly vague, Shaw gives precise imagery about the setting of the epilogue. By specifying the weather conditions, the lighting, and the furniture, Shaw controls the imagery a theatre audience would encounter and dictates what his audience will see, hear, and smell (the flickering candles) while this scene is played. Imagery is particularly important for the epilogue because while all of the other scenes are very realistic, the epilogue involves supernatural elements—even time travel. In order to ensure that the imagination of the audience will be captured and the scene will be powerful rather than simply silly, Shaw pays close attention to the imagery required to set the right tone for this scene. A dark and stormy night in a shadowy room lit only by candles creates imagery where the appearance of ghostly figures will be most effective and appealing.
Charles's description of his coronation
Typically, a coronation is expected to be a majestic and regal moment, but when Charles talks about his experience, he uses imagery to suggest it was uncomfortable and unpleasant. Charles evokes what he felt, smelled, touched, and saw during the process of being crowned King of France, but none of it is moving or majestic. The imagery might serve to show that Charles is not an imaginative or inspiring leader: rather than being honored or respectful of the ceremony, he thinks only of himself and his physical discomfort. On the other hand, this imagery contributes to the theme of questioning what appears to be miraculous or inspiring, which reoccurs throughout the play. The French people would likely revere their King just like they revere and admire Joan, since both individuals seem divinely inspired and chosen by God. However, underneath all the majestic appearance, Charles is just an average person, and there is nothing miraculous about the day he is crowned.
The riverbank of the Loire
At the start of Scene III, Dunois and his page are passing time next to the river Loire, which runs past the city of Orleans. Shaw uses imagery to evoke the beauty of a spring evening, including the sights and sounds of a peaceful setting. This seemingly beautiful and peaceful moment creates tension in the narrative because Dunois is anxious for the wind to change so that he can mount an attack on English forces. The imagery also shows the disconnection between the way characters claim to be fighting for their homeland and how they fail to appreciate it. Joan (who enters the scene a few moments later) and Dunois both fight to save France from invaders, but they are so focused on their military efforts that they cannot pause to fully engage with the beauty of the land they are fighting for.
