The Clock Ticked (Auditory Imagery)
Throughout the story, Ann stops what she is doing to listen to sounds in her environment. In one instance, Ross writes, "The fire crackled, the clock ticked. The silence now seemed more intense than ever." In this example of auditory imagery, Ross emphasizes the intense and alienating silence that surrounds Ann on the prairie by highlighting the ticking clock and crackling fire.
Feel the Color Deepening (Organic Imagery)
After changing her outfit and redoing her hair, Ann serves Steven supper. At the table, Ann speaks as though John is sure to be home soon. Steven asks if she really expects him to come in such a violent storm. Ann says of course, but as she speaks she can "feel the color deepening in her face." In this example of organic imagery, Ross describes the internal sensation of blushing that Ann feels as she responds to Steven's comment. Her blushing suggests that Ann knows that implicit in Steven's question is his desire to convince Ann that they will be alone for the night.
Gleam of Light Revealed His Face (Visual Imagery)
After Ann sleeps with Steven, she wakes to see John's shadow advancing toward her in the bedroom. She seems to feel him holding her throat. He remains cloaked in shadow until "a gleam of light reveal[s] his face. And in it [is] not a trace of threat or anger—only calm, and stonelike hopelessness." In this example of visual imagery, the flickering light of the dying fire throws enough light to reveal that John is not in fact angry with Ann. Rather, his expression is one of sorrow, hopelessness, and resignation.
