Imagery of small town
Stillbourne and its atmosphere are vividly described as a representation of character of a small town. There is a strong connection among neighbors and houses are closely built together where neighbors can look into each other's windows and gardens. Everyone knows everyone and each other's history in Stillbourne. Everyone is interested in everyone's business and people find a strange satisfaction in knowing the life and mannerisms among each other. Stillbourne is also conservative and those who fall out of the conservative flow are dubbed insane and outcast.
Imagery of nature
Nature is a large part of the Stillbourne image. The town is surrounded by nature and there is the infamous Old Bridge over the river where Oliver and Evie have often encounters. This town is also close to the forest where Oliver loses his virginity with Evie. The mystery of forest adds to Oliver's sexual urge and fantasies and that's why he chose to take Evie to the safety of the forest trees to have her.
Music imagery
Music played a large part in Oliver's life ever since he was a child. When he was very young, he started to take violin lessons with Bounce and later even wanted to pursue musical career. Despite being directed to play the violin, he grew fonder of the piano and uses it to calm his adolescence nerves and misery that comes with love, unfairness of life, and the wickedness of his thoughts.
