Diet
The narrator describes the Bergens and Murphys sharing a half loaf of bread with chicken fat. This imagery creates a vivid image of the Bergens and Murphys living together in a cramped room with limited resources. The bread and chicken fat serve as a symbol of their poverty and desperation as they struggle to survive in a strange new world. The act of sharing the bread also signifies the bond between the two families and their willingness to help one another out in times of need. The imagery of the bread and chicken fat illustrates the harsh realities of life in the new world and the resiliency of the Bergens and Murphys despite their difficult circumstances.
Mud Puddles
Mud puddles are described as being “dimpled with hoof tracks”, which creates an image of the muddy road, with imprints of horses’ hooves scattered across it. This imagery conveys the sense of the rough and untamed landscape of the frontier as Wu Chen is navigating his way through this unfamiliar and dangerous environment. The mud puddles also denote the struggles of the immigrants who were trying to make a home in this new land, and how Wu Chen was struggling to find his place in the world. They could also be seen as a representation of his vulnerability since he was constantly aware of the prejudice and discrimination he faced as a foreigner in this new land.
Wildflowers
The imagery of the wildflowers blooming in the light of day is a powerful image of beauty and hope that is juxtaposed against the grim events taking place. The flowers are described as "red, purple, and orange" which adds to the vivid imagery of the scene. They are also labeled as "bursting with color and full of promise," which is a stark contrast to the "congealing slough of blood," and "strewn with death" that Wu Chen is surrounded by. This imagery serves to highlight the tragedy of the situation, as the beauty and promise of the wildflowers are in contrast with the violence and death of the scene. This imagery emphasizes Wu Chen's grief and bitterness as he is forced to leave this place behind, with its beauty and promise now lost to him.
Timeless Structures
One imagery found in the narrative is that of the ancient stone structures in the sprawling pastures and furrowed fields. This imagery conveys a sense of age and history, creating a connection between the landscape and its past inhabitants. The stone structures are described as "squatting in the fields", suggesting that they are a part of the landscape as if they have always been there. This conveys a sense of timelessness as if the structures have been there for centuries and will remain for centuries to come. It also conveys a sense of familiarity and connection, as if the structures are a part of Walter's family history and a part of him. He feels as though he is a part of the landscape, like the structures, and has a connection to the place.
