London Markets (Visual Imagery)
Harri describes the outdoor markets in London with mixed feelings. Though London is so cold "you have to keep your mouth closed to stop your teeth escaping," Harri enjoys the market, describing it in terms of the "dope-fine things you can look at," like toy swords and candies. Harri lists every type of Haribo candy he can buy, in shapes of "worms, milkshakes, teddy bears, crocodiles," and more. This imagery expresses Harri's contradictory feelings as he struggles to adapt to London's culture and climate while also being excited by the wonder of being a child in a new city.
The Dead Boy's Funeral (Visceral Imagery)
Harri describes the funerals in Ghana and contrasts them with the dead boy's funeral in London. Harri is familiar with funerals where people create a "special coffin" in the shape of "what the person loved the most," like a sewing machine, beer bottle, or taxi. Harri also describes dancing at a funeral until he "forgot that somebody died." At the dead boy's funeral, Harri describes the scene as "proper dark because of the rain and all the black they were wearing. There was no singing." This visceral imagery highlights Harri's inability to connect with the tragedy of the boy's death and his own mortality.
Lydia's Parrot Costume (Visual Imagery)
For her Dance Club performance at the carnival, Lydia wears a colorful parrot costume composed of a "body stocking" covered in pink feathers. Lydia loves the costume and wears it even after the performance. However, when Miquita burns Lydia and threatens her, Lydia takes out her anger and disappointment on the costume, shredding it "all in pieces like something dead." Harri helps Lydia throw the pieces off the balcony, where the feathers fall "like big slow rain."
The Stairwell (Olfactory Imagery)
Harri dislikes climbing the stairwell in his apartment because so many people urinate on the steps, "you can smell it from a million miles away." Still, Harri considers the stairs a safe place. When Harri is stabbed in the stairwell, he is overwhelmed by the reek and falls into a puddle of urine. This unpleasant olfactory imagery highlights the dismal, gruesome nature of Harri's murder.
