Angry knot expanded (Kinesthetic Imagery)
After Hà's mother says that the eldest son must bless the house, Hà says, "an old, angry knot expanded in my throat." In this example of kinesthetic imagery, Ha describes the bodily sensation of her throat responding to the injustice of being told she can't do something because she's a girl.
Ashy bitter citrus (Olfactory Imagery)
In lieu of jasmine incense, Hà's mother burns dried orange peels at her altar. Hà notes how the scent of "ashy bitter citrus invades our room," using olfactory imagery to express her displeasure at the poor replacement for jasmine's pleasing fragrance.
Forever-young eyes (Visual Imagery)
In an example of visual imagery, Hà describes her father as having "forever-young eyes" in his portrait. Her mother cannot bear to look at this image, frozen in time, as it reminds her of how much time has passed since he went missing.
Lavender and warmth (Olfactory)
When describing how beauty emanates from her mother, Hà notes that her mother "smells of lavender and warmth." In this olfactory image, Ha captures how the scent of lavender mingles with her mother's body heat, making the scents inseparable in Ha's mind.
