Imagery

Imagery in Their Eyes Were Watching God

Example of Imagery (p. #)           Brief interpretation in your words

1.”From barren brown stems to glistening leaf-buds; from the leaf buds to snowy virginity of bloom.” (p.10)  This quote is explaining the differences in the blooming pear tree.

2. “It was like a song forgotten in another existence then remembered again.” (p.10)  This example is explaining Janie’s revelation under the pear tree.

3. “…alto chant of the visiting bees, the gold of the sun and the panting breath of the breeze when the inaudible voice of it all came to her.” (p.11)  This example of imagery draws a picture of the environment surrounding the pear tree.

4. “…a dust-bearing bee sink into the sanctum of a bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace and the ecstatic shiver of the tree from root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight.” (p.11) This quote explains the bee going into the pear blossom.

5. “…a citified, stylish dressed man with his hat set at an angle that didn’t belong in these parts.  His coat was over his arm, but he didn’t need it to represent his clothes.  The shirt with the silk sleeve holders was dazzling enough for the world.” (p.27)  This is explaining how Joe Starks is dressed.

6. “They sat on the boarding house porch and saw the sun plunge into the same crack in the earth from which the night emerged.” (p.33) This example of imagery says that day and night both come from the same place.

7. “She must look on herself as the bell-cow, the other women were the gang.  So the put on one of her bought dresses and went up the new-cut road all dressed in wine-colored red. Her silken ruffles rustled and muttered about her. The other women had on percale and calico with here and there a head rag among the other ones.” (p.41)  This is explaining how Janie and the other women are dressed.

8.  “And look at the way he painted it- a gloaty, sparkly white.” (p.47) This example of imagery explains the way Joe painted his house.

9. “..the joys of mule-heaven to which the dear brother had departed this valley of sorrow; the mule-angels flying around; the miles of green corn and cool water, a pasture of pure bran with a river of molasses running through it.” (p.60-61) This is explaining what mule heaven looks like.

10. “…those big black eyes with plenty shiny white in them that makes them shine like brand new money.” (p.67) This example of imagery is explaining Daisy Blunt’s eyes.


Images from: http://www.greenhousebed.com/images/Garden/pear%20tree.jpg https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiMqtpkxq2rHnfIvHm9Yr8AGTNMHSMH93S-sYdmzzqtkqe4eh4mPJ9C_2Dc7v13wEpJ6AyaWLy92yXxnTj60sRwqe-mhXnLq5hfdqaKNNVJP3nnoRC8rLOGNvhteR_tTiSns6ui54NuRb/s400/whitehouse.jpg