Tugboat Heard (Auditory Imagery)
In the opening scene of A Taste of Honey, Jo disparages the poorly maintained and badly situated flat that Helen has rented for them. While the women are bickering, they are interrupted by a stage direction, "Tugboat heard," which prompts Jo to ask, "Can you smell that river?" In this example of auditory imagery, the sound of a tugboat's horn establishes that the characters are living near a river; however, the fact the river gives off a strong scent suggests that the water is full of pollution.
The Children Singing (Auditory Imagery)
In Act Two, Geoffrey and Jo are living together in the rundown flat. During a conversation, Jo draws Geoffrey's attention to the children playing outside the flat, saying, "Look at that sky. It’s nearly black. And you can hear the kids playing, right over there on the croft." Her statement is followed by Delaney's stage direction: "A silence in the room: we hear the children singing." In this example of auditory imagery, the sound of local children singing immerses the audience in the characters' reality.
Looking Uncomfortable (Visual Imagery)
In Act One, Scene Two, Helen's lover Peter arrives at the flat, making his second appearance in the play. Having casually proposed to Helen in the previous scene, he now shows up laden with gifts. Delaney's stage direction says: "Enter PETER carrying a large bouquet and a box of chocolates and looking uncomfortable." In this example of visual imagery, Delaney juxtaposes the lavish, celebratory gifts Peter carries with the look of discomfort on Peter's face, which betrays the shame he feels for getting engaged to Helen despite Jo's disapproval.
Smiling a Little to Herself (Visual Imagery)
In the final scene, Helen leaves Jo alone in the flat just as her labor contractions are starting. Delaney's stage direction says: "JO watches her go, leaning against the doorpost. Then she looks round the room, smiling a little to herself—she remembers GEOF." In this example of visual imagery, Delaney shows Jo finding a peculiar sense of comfort in being abandoned again by her mother. As Jo smiles to herself, it is unclear whether she finds her mother's predictably unreliable nature amusing, or if she is comforted by the thought that she still has Geoffrey to look after her.
