The imagery of Hubert
Vivid descriptions characterize the image of Hubert perceived by the reader. The imagery begins with the description of the mounds that form on his face after the narrator places ants which bite him. His face thus become ridged with valleys. The imagery becomes more pronounced when the narrator compares his face to a range of mountains. He puckers his nose and has his mouth half open and his breath like a cloud, descriptions that refine the image of his appearance as perceived by the reader.
“Hubert’s face was like a mountain range with valleys and all and he would pucker his nose in a funny way and his mouth was half open — his breath came out of it like a cloud.”
Berlin
Berlin is elegantly presented by the narrator. The elegant Westside is presented as sophisticated and stylish with bright lights. The enormous neon advertising that surrounds the narrator as well as the sparkling lights enable the reader to develop an image of the narrator’s surrounding and thus improve their visual perception of the scenery. All this shapes the imagery of this area of Berlin.
“Berlin descended on me like a comforter with a flaming floral design. The Westside is very elegant with bright lights — like fabulous stones, really expensive and in an ornate setting. We have enormous neon advertising around here. Sparkling lights surround me.”
The subway
The narrator employs language that evokes imagery in the presentation of the subway. Particularly, the imagery of the subway is enhanced via an explicit comparison to a coffin, albeit an illuminated one. The use of this comparison enhances the development of a more well perceived image of the subway.
“There is a subway; it’s like an illuminated coffin on skis — under the ground and musty, and one is squashed. That is what I ride on. It’s interesting and it travels fast.”
Tilli Scherer
In enhancing imagery, the narrator employs intense descriptions as well as language that evokes development of images of scenes and characters. A depiction of the image of Tilli is enhanced via the narrator’s employment of this kind of language. Her hair is dyed red, she is soft and round like a down pillow. The imagery is made prevalent through the comparison of her blue eyes to blue marbles.
“Tilli’s hair is dyed golden and her husband is away, putting down tram tracks near Essen. […] Tilli is soft and round like a down pillow and her eyes are like polished blue marbles.”
