![]() ![]() These lines are almost exclusively description, and Crichton uses phrases like “rocks became slippery” and “constant hanging mist” to help you imagine exactly what’s happening. The rocks became slippery, the path muddy. They were closer to the waterfall now, the roar much louder. Let’s take a look at the first few lines again and pick out some of the descriptive language that helps shape the scene: Imagery works because the writer uses descriptive words and phrases to help paint a picture. You’re probably picturing a giant waterfall, a hungry tyrannosaurus rex, and a lot of danger, right? That’s because the literal imagery in this passage paints a very specific, literal picture that helps you imagine what’s happening in this moment! Now that you’ve read this passage, close your eyes and picture the scene. Then they were completely behind the waterfall, and Grant was unable to see out through the silver sheet. They hurried along the path to the waterfall, and had almost moved behind the sheet of falling water when Grant saw the tyrannosaur turn. The tyrannosaur was still looking downstream, its back turned to them. ![]() The path seemed to lead right into the rushing water, but as they came closer, they saw that it actually went behind the waterfall. Alan Grant, Lex Murphy, and Tim Murphy are trying to hide from a tyrannosaurus rex: Let’s take a look at an example of literal imagery from Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park so you can see what we mean. (For example, if the character is in a dark, dirty alley, they’re probably in a more dangerous situation than if the character is skipping through a field of daisies.) Literal imagery helps the reader picture where characters are, understand what characters are doing, and even foreshadow what might happen next. Writers often use literal imagery to describe the setting, characters, and situation for a reader. With literal imagery, a writer is literally describing things to the reader. Literal Imagery: Examples and Explanation In general, however, imagery fits into two big categories: literal and figurative. Since imagery is designed to connect a reader to a text, it’s one of the most powerful tools a writer has to communicate their themes and messages.Īny time a writer engages a reader’s senses, they’re using imagery.which means imagery is a really broad literary device. That’s because writers know that in order to capture a reader’s attention, they need to engage with them mentally, physically, and emotionally. In other words: you can think of imagery as painting with words in order to fuel the reader’s imagination!Īn easy way to spot imagery in a text is to pay attention to words, phrases, and sentences that connect with your five senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound). To describe everything is to supply a photograph in words to indicate the points which seem the most vivid and important to you, the writer, is to allow the reader to flesh out your sketch into a portrait. Imagery does not occur on the writer’s page it occurs in the reader’s mind. Here’s how one of the greatest horror writers of all time, Stephen King, describes imagery: Writers use descriptive words and phrases to help the reader feel like they’re.well, wherever the writer wants them to be! Basically, the writer is trying to create a “mental image” for the reader through the words they choose. Imagery is the act of using language to create images in the reader’s mind. ![]() Have you ever read a book that makes you feel like you’re seeing, feeling, smelling, or tasting the same thing as the character you’re reading about? (We had that experience the first time Harry Potter tries butterbeer in Hogsmeade.) If you have, you can thank imagery for that experience! What Is Imagery? Definition and Explanation Once you know what you're looking for, you'll see it everywhere! Then we’ll walk you through some imagery examples in poetry and fiction and show you exactly how to analyze the imagery in each.īy the end of this article, you’ll be able to talk about imagery in literature like a pro, so let’s get started. We’ll start by giving you the imagery definition before talking about why it’s an important tool for analyzing a text. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at how to use imagery to analyze a text. That means that as readers, we need to understand and use literary devices to fully understand a work’s major themes! A literary device is a technique a writer uses to convey ideas and messages to their readers.
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