Today, I would like to talk to you about one of the most important devices in
literature: imagery. As you may already know, imagery refers to words or
phrases that appeal to our senses, allowing us to create mental pictures of
what we are reading. It is through the use of imagery that writers can evoke
emotions, create vivid descriptions, and immerse readers into their stories.
For instance, let us consider these lines from the famous poem Dulce et
Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen.
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags we cursed though sludge.
In this poem, Owen describes his experience as a soldier during the First
World War. He uses imagistic words such as "bent double, like old beggars
under sacks", "knock-kneed", "coughing like hags", and "sludge" to create
visual, aural, and tactile images in our minds. By doing so, he helps us re-live
the sense experience of being a soldier during the war.
Furthermore, imagery can be used to provide new sense experiences that do
not correspond to any of our actual experiences. For example, a writer may
use imagery to describe a fantastical creature that we have never seen before
or a place that we have never been to. In this way, images allow us to see,
hear, feel, smell, and taste experiences that are new to us.
It is important to note that writers often use imagery to create dominant
impressions that contribute to the overall meaning of their works. For
instance, in Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, the imagery of death, corruption,
and disease creates a powerful network that highlights the play's themes.
Writers also develop meaningful patterns in their imagery, and a writer's
choice and arrangement of images is often an important clue to the overall
meaning of his work.
In conclusion, imagery is a powerful device that writers use to evoke
emotions, create vivid descriptions, and immerse readers into their stories. It
is through the use of imagery that writers can re-live and create new sense
experiences for their readers. By paying attention to the imagery used in a
work, we can gain insight into the author's intended meanings and themes.
Thank you for listening.