A Terrible Silence (Auditory Imagery)
Describing the unsettling quiet in the village, the narrator says: "A terrible leery silence had settled on the place." This auditory imagery expresses the tension present in the village, as they sit on the precipice of another crisis. The use of the word "leery" suggests that everyone is just waiting for something bad to happen.
Decaying Body (Olfactory and Visceral Imagery)
The narrator describes the awful smell of Naranappa's body: "There was the stench of something rotting, enough to make one sick in the stomach." This visceral and olfactory imagery gives a sense of the overwhelming reek of the corpse. It also demonstrates how pervasive the smell is throughout the village, making it impossible for anyone to ignore.
Feeling Faint (Haptic Imagery)
After touching Chandri's body, Praneshacharya feels "faint" as "the strength in his legs [is] ebbing." This haptic imagery highlights how overcome with desire he feels when he touches Chandri. The word "ebbing" implies that he is being pulled towards her like water in a stream or ocean.
The Night Sky (Visual Imagery)
The novel's closing pages depict the night sky above Praneshacharya's head: "The sky was full of stars. The moon, a sliver. A perfectly clear constellation of the Seven Sages." This striking visual imagery shows the beauty of the sky while also reflecting Praneshacharya's newfound sense of purpose, as he makes his way back home.
