Cornfields
The narrator asserts, “The windows streaked endless rows of cornstalks. The corn was lined up in neat rows that, because they were driving so fast, blurred in and out of view. The blurred lines of the cornstalks looked like vibrating triangles.” This passage paints a dynamic picture of endless cornfields seen from a fast-moving vehicle. The neat rows of cornstalks evoke disorientation and monotony during a long journey. Consequently, the imagery reflects Iggy's internal state as she becomes lost in the repetitive motion, which merges her vision with the world outside. The transformation of rows into abstract "triangles" underscores how the physical world shifts into something ambiguous in moments of long contemplation.
Afternoon Shadows
The following imagery uses shadow and light to blur the physical distinctions between the two cousins: “The afternoon light of Bob’s Boxing Palace throws long shadows on the Lang cousins. Iggy Lang’s face is mostly covered in shadow, so the two cousins look even more similar than before. Izzy’s calves are flexed and split down the side by a long defined muscle. Iggy is so covered in sudden afternoon shadow that it’s hard to see where her body ends and the gray of the dusty shadow takes over.” It creates a near-surreal scene where bodies and shadows merge. The way the light makes it difficult to distinguish between the physical bodies of the cousins highlights the emotional entanglement and competitive nature of their relationship. The description also emphasizes the physicality of their sport.
The Fountains of Fountain Place
This vivid image of fountains leaping into the air captures the sudden release propelled by unseen forces. The narrator says, “As she faces Iggy Lang, Rose Mueller thinks of the way that the fountains of Fountain Place seem to jump up from nowhere, the power that is pushing the water up and out hidden deep in the ground.” Rose’s thoughts on the fountains connect to her internal strength, paralleling the way a boxer must summon power from deep within to achieve success. The hidden force beneath the ground symbolizes the unseen energy and emotional depth driving the characters, particularly in high-stress moments like this fight.
Lights Cutting Through the Room
“Izzy’s body is shining. There is a heat radiating off of her. Her sweat looks like oil. The afternoon light on her body leaves stripes of blinding white. The light is so bright that where the light hits her straight on it rejects the idea of her, Izzy’s skin not being the color of her skin anymore but the absence of color.” This intense description of light interacting with Izzy’s body during a match captures the physical toll of boxing. The stripes of light cutting across her body symbolize the disintegration of her sense of self at that moment. Thus, it reflects the erasure of individuality during moments of extreme physical exertion.
