Final answer:
The author includes vivid descriptions to engage the reader, set the scene, and foreshadow events, thus grounding the reader in the story's setting and outlining the central conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author includes a vivid description of Mama at the opening of the scene to help set the atmosphere, provide context, and signal the importance of the character. This detailed imagery draws readers into the story more deeply and establishes a connection to the characters' world. The use of sensory details such as sights, sounds, and emotions engages the reader and can serve as a device to foreshadow events, highlight character nuances or accentuate the themes of the story. For instance, describing the mother's actions and environment can indicate her personality or the family's socio-economic status, which might be pertinent to understanding the upcoming narrative. The vivid description at the beginning grounds the reader in the story's setting, making the experience more immersive.
When the narrator uses sentences like "But that did the business for me", it effectively pulls the reader into the action, creating a sense of immediacy and involvement. Such language suggests significance in the events being described, indicating a pivotal moment in the narrative. The introduction of characters and their relationships sets the stage for the conflicts and dynamics that will unfold, and the dialogue clarifies the scene's context, helping to establish the central conflict of the story.
In summary, vivid descriptions are essential in literature for building an immersive world and setting the stage for character development and plot progression. They serve multiple narrative purposes, from engaging the reader's senses to outlining conflicts and character dynamics.