Overview

• What is Imagery?
• What is an Image?
• “Oranges” by Gary Soto: We will analyze
the imagery in the poem.
• Distinguishing other devices used in
the poem
Using words to create a picture
in the reader’s mind.
More about Imagery…
• Imagery is the name given to the element
in a poem that spark off the senses.
• In a literary text, it occurs when an author
uses an object that is not really there, in
order to create a comparison between one
that is, usually evoking a more meaningful
visual experience for the reader.
• A writer can involve the reader in an
experience conveyed by the write-up,
instead of telling him what's happening.
• The author’s use of language that
appeals to the five senses in order to
help the reader imagine exactly what is
being described.

sight smell taste touch

sound
 Imagery is the use of
vivid description to
capture a specific Image
and portray the exact
image to the reader.
What is an Image?
Get a sense of image…
 a reproduction or imitation of the form of the
person or thing
 exact likeness
 a tangible or visible representation
 A mental picture or impression of something

…best applies to poetry…

a vivid or graphic representation or description
The usage of other literary devices.
Ex.
Simile “My love is like a red, red
rose.”
 comparing love to a red rose
 it evokes image to a red rose
(sight and smell), and the
softness and fragility of a
flower (touch).
 Types of Imagery
• Visual (Sight) Imagery
• Auditory (Sound) Imagery
• Tactile (Touch) Imagery
• Olfactory (Smell) Imagery
• Gustatory (Taste) Imagery
Oranges
By: Gary Soto
Consider this while reading…

How does Soto use

imagery to strengthen
the impact of his
poem?
 Imagery in “Oranges”
SIGHT
 breath / Before me, then gone
 Porch light burned yellow / Night and day
 face bright / With rouge
 a line / Of newly planted trees
 the candies / Tiered like bleachers
 Light in her eyes, a smile / Starting at the
corners / Of her mouth
 Taste Smell
- With two oranges in
my pocket

- she lifted a
chocolate

- breath / before
me, then gone
 Touch Sound
- Cold, and weighted - A dog barked at
down / With two me
oranges - the tiny bell bringing

in my jacket a saleslady
- pulling at her gloves - Frost cracking
- touched her shoulder beneath my steps
- I fingered / A nickel in
my pocket
 The powerful last stanza…
• Outside, touch: we are now cold in
contrast with the
warmth of the drugstore
• A few cars hissing past, sound: we hear
cars going by
• Fog hanging like old sight: we see the fog,
Coats between trees. hanging around the
trees
• I took my girl’s hand touch: holding hands
In mine for two blocks, and releasing
Then released it to let
• Her unwrap the sound, smell & taste:
chocolate unwrapping the chocolate, smell of
chocolate, taste of chocolate
• I peeled my orange touch, smell, taste &
sight: peeling of orange,
familiarity we all have
• That, from some distance sight & touch:
Someone might have orange is warm in
thought his hands
I was making fire in my
hands.
 Other devices…
• …the tiny bell Personification: bells
Bringing a saleslady don’t bring people
• Tiered like bleachers Simile: the candy is
organized to look like
bleachers
• A few cars hissing Onomatopoeia: cars
past aren’t just driving by,
they are “hissing”, a word
that imitates the sound it
attempts to describe
• Fog hanging like old Simile: fog looks
Coats between the trees. like old coats

• Someone might have Metaphor: the

thought orange becomes a
I was making fire in my fire in his hands
hands.
 How does Soto use
imagery to strengthen
the impact of his
poem?
 The End
of part 1

Be ready for part 2 ;-)

(continuation)