6. Exploring Figurative Language: IMAGERY

Reminder: Imagery is a literary device that refers to the use of figurative language to evoke a sensory experience or create a picture with words for a reader. Writers appeal to a reader’s senses of sight, taste, smell, touch, and sound, as well as their internal emotions and feelings.
Directions: Go back through the introduction (p. 1-70) and find your FAVORITE line/example of imagery where Reynolds’ language really paints a descriptive picture in your mind and evokes any or multiple of your five senses.
“TYPE THE LINE HERE”:
EXPLAIN WHAT MAKES THIS LINE AN EFFECTIVE EXAMPLE OF IMAGERY - WHICH OF THE SENSES DOES IT EVOKE? WHY IS IT EFFECTIVE OR ESPECIALLY IMPACTFUL? WHAT EMOTIONS DOES IT APPEAL TO?

in the story "the long way down"

1 answer

Certainly! Here’s how you can analyze imagery from Jason Reynolds' "The Long Way Down."

“TYPE THE LINE HERE”: (You may choose a specific line from the text that you feel captures vivid imagery. Here’s an example you could use: "The elevator doors close with a soft 'whoosh,' and the scent of metal fills the air.")

EXPLAIN WHAT MAKES THIS LINE AN EFFECTIVE EXAMPLE OF IMAGERY:
This line is effective because it engages multiple senses. The sound of the elevator doors closing – the "soft 'whoosh'" – evokes the sense of hearing, creating a quiet yet decisive moment. The “scent of metal” appeals to the sense of smell, bringing the cold, sterile environment of the elevator to life for the reader.

The effectiveness of this imagery lies in its ability to immerse the reader into a claustrophobic space, highlighting the tension and emotional weight the character is experiencing within that moment. The combination of sound and scent not only paints a clear picture of the setting but also enhances the atmosphere of uncertainty and introspection.

Ultimately, this evokes emotions of anxiety and anticipation, as the closed doors symbolize the character’s relentless journey towards an uncertain outcome. Such imagery serves to deepen the reader's connection to the character's internal struggles and the gravity of the choices they face.

Feel free to replace the example with your chosen line or imagery that resonates with you from the text!