Age
"I'm a sixty-year-old man, and I'm still waiting for the world to make sense."
This imagery conveys a sense of waiting, uncertainty, and confusion. The image of a person waiting suggests a lack of control or agency, while the phrase "waiting for the world to make sense" suggests that the world is nonsensical or chaotic. This imagery highlights the protagonist's disillusionment and frustration with his life.
Flying
"It's hard to explain, but when I'm running, it feels like I'm flying."
This imagery conveys a sense of freedom and exhilaration. The comparison of running to flying suggests that running makes the protagonist feel light and unencumbered as if he is soaring through the air. This image contrasts with the protagonist's earlier feelings of waiting and uncertainty, suggesting that running releases him from his frustrations.
Sun
"The sun was setting behind the hills, casting long shadows across the valley."
This imagery creates a visual image of a tranquil, picturesque scene. The image of the setting sun suggests the end of a day, while the long shadows across the valley create a sense of depth and perspective. This imagery conveys a sense of peace and beauty and contrasts with some of the novel's earlier, more tumultuous scenes.
The river
"The river was swollen with rain, and the water churned and roiled like a living thing."
This imagery personifies the river, creating a sense of motion and energy. The comparison of the river to a "living thing" suggests that it has a will and a personality of its own, while the verbs "churned" and "roiled" indicate that it is in a state of turbulence and unrest. This imagery adds a sense of drama and intensity to the scene.
Grass
"The smell of fresh-cut grass filled the air, and I could hear the sound of children laughing and playing in the distance."
This imagery creates a sensory experience of the scene, evoking the senses of smell and sound. The image of the fresh-cut grass suggests a sense of freshness and renewal, while the sound of children laughing suggests a sense of joy and vitality. This imagery creates a vivid sense of the environment and offers the protagonist a moment of calm and contentment.