Highlight examples of imagery in the passage.

Question

She had been the source of all his wealth; she had peopled his plantation with slaves; she had become a great-grandmother in his service. She had rocked him in infancy, attended him in childhood, served him through life, and at his death wiped from his icy brow the cold death-sweat, and closed his eyes for ever.

—Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,
Frederick Douglass

Which of the five senses does Douglass appeal to in the passage?

Smell
taste
hearing
touch

Answer 1

In the passage from "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," Douglass employs imagery that evokes a strong sense of touch. Phrases such as "rocked him in infancy" and "wiped from his icy brow the cold death-sweat" convey tactile sensations, emphasizing the physical care and connection between the characters. The imagery creates a vivid emotional landscape, illustrating the deep bond and service rendered throughout the different stages of life.

The passage does not strongly appeal to smells, tastes, or sounds, so the primary sensory engagement here is through touch.