Question

From part 2, what are TWO effects of the use of imagery in the excerpt below?

Martha stayed where she was in the garden but put both hands out in front of her, awaiting whatever came. The flakes were massive, consistent and quick, as if the snow was not merely falling but being delivered, like manna, because people needed it.
1.The allusion to manna brings to mind the biblical Israelites lost in the desert and highlights Martha's lost and wandering state of mind.
2.Martha putting both hands before her creates an image of someone in adefensive position ready for a fight.
3.The comparison of the snow to manna shows that Martha believes that her needs will be met and she will survive.
4.The imagery of the snow flakes falling quickly and consistently conveys that Martha knows everything happens for a reason.
5.The garden is symbolic of purity and beginnings. Martha staying in the garden shows that she is unwilling to move on from her past.

Answer 1

Imagery in the excerpt conveys Martha's openness to the nurturing aspects of her environment, depicted by the comparison to manna, and underlines her deep sensory connection to the natural world through the vivid description of the falling snowflakes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The use of imagery in the excerpt impacts the reader's understanding in several ways. Firstly, the allusion to manna suggests providence and sustenance, which might imply that the snow is bringing something necessary and life-giving to Martha, in a spiritual or emotional sense. This can lead one to interpret that Martha is receiving much-needed nurturing or hope from her environment. Secondly, the detailed description of the snowflakes as 'massive, consistent and quick' serves to create a vivid and dynamic picture of the scene, emphasizing the immediacy and perhaps overwhelming nature of the experience for Martha. This intricate depiction of the natural setting could suggest that nature itself is a significant presence or 'character' in the narrative, having a direct impact on Martha's state of being.

It's important to consider the effects of these imagery choices. An effect of the manna comparison might be to show that Martha is in a position of receiving, which suggests an openness or need, while the detailed account of the snowflakes and her placing her hands out might depict a sensory engagement with her environment, signaling a deep connection to the natural world around her. Moreover, the rich imagery employed might create a reflective mood and provide insight into Martha's internal landscape.