Choir Singing
One imagery is that of a choir singing on the emerald lawn. This evokes a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, with the sun shining down and the ladies adjusting the angles of their parasols to keep the sun off. The song of the choir creates a sense of harmony and joy, with Mary's schoolgirl treble floating above like a descant. The imagery of the emerald lawn further accentuates this feeling of peace and contentment, with the sun shining down and the attendants enjoying their afternoon tea. The description of the choir singing on the lawn induces unity and joy and suggests that the group of people has come together in harmony to share a special moment.
Landscapes
Another instance is the contrasts of the landscapes that Lincoln and Joshua observe on their morning constitutional. The first image is of the valley rim, where the sun hangs “fat and lozenge-like”, and the air smells of rain. This image presents a serene, tranquil scene, with the impending rain giving an air of mystery and anticipation. The second image is of the farmhouses, still under the Sabbath spell, “except for the slow-moving veil of woodsmoke and the shuttling outlines of pigs foraging for food”. This image conjures a sense of life and movement, as the animals and smoke contrast with the stillness of the farmhouses. The third image is of the Northern Cross railbed, with “carpets of yellow and vermilion flowers, a grove of shagbark hickory, a bristling fringe of timber—and, hanging over it all, a sky somehow more capacious than the one they had just left”. This image is symbolic of hope and potential, as the two protagonists observe a new world, with a more open and expansive sky.
Mud
In the narration, mud is described as being "black and thick with a permanent cast, eradicable only through the combined efforts of sun and shovels". This description illustrates the difficulty of the situation that Mary is facing, as she is completely unable to leave her house because of the mud. The sludge is described as only being eradicable through the efforts of the sun and shovels, suggesting that it is a long and arduous process to get rid of it. Furthermore, the mud is described as being so deep that it can "swallow a horse and its rider", emphasizing the danger that it poses. The imagery of the mud serves to illustrate the risky nature of the weather condition, as it completely prevents any activity to take place.
Cold Winter
The imagery of a "perfect torrent of snow" is a visual image that highlights the brutal nature of the cold winter in Springfield. The snow is described as being "perfect" which suggests its beauty, while the word "torrent" denotes the overwhelming force of its impact. This description also evokes the sense of entrapment that Elizabeth is feeling, as the snow makes it impossible for her to leave the house and for other people to come to visit. This reflects the emotional entrapment that she feels in her marriage to Ninian and her inability to escape from it. The imagery of the frozen roast chicken also signifies her feeling of being stuck in her situation, unable to move forward. Overall, the description underscores the oppressive atmosphere of the winter and Elizabeth's emotional state.
