Final answer:
Imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, while figurative language uses non-literal expressions such as metaphors and similes to evoke sensations and emotions in literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Imagery is a literary device that uses descriptive language to appeal to the reader's senses of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. It often involves creating vivid, immersive details that paint a mental picture, allowing readers to experience the text as if through their own sensations.
Alongside descriptive imagery, figurative language plays a vital role, using metaphors, similes, and other forms of non-literal expression to evoke complex ideas and emotions.
For instance, describing a lemon, a writer might use imagery to convey its bright yellow color, its tart taste, and the fresh, citrusy smell that fills the air when it's cut.
Similarly, a metaphor such as 'the lemon tree was heavy with innumerable miniature suns' employs figurative language to give the reader a more imaginative and evocative picture of the scene.
Both imagery and figurative language are essential tools for writers and poets, enhancing their work's emotional depth and helping readers forge a deeper connection with the text.