Imagery In This Is For You By Dallas Fletcher

Imagery is not an element you may recognize as playing a significant role in any type of story. When thinking of literary elements, most will think of plot, characters use, or theme. Imagery is just as important, though. Imagery can be described as word pictures or visual details involving the senses. The short story “This Is for You” by Dallas Fletcher is a prime example of imagery’s importance. Some could say that the characters play the largest role in this story. Some might even say the characters are pivotal to the story, but this is not the case. The imagery surrounding the white rose, scent, and breath are crucial to the story line The title of the story is full of impactful images. The title “This Is for You” brings many questions

The story itself is written in the first person. Everything going on in the story is directed to ‘You.’ Fletcher’s use of this word adds to the imagery even more. If this story had been written in the third person, the images he presents would not have been as effective as they are now. A common image presented in “This Is for You” is that of breathing or breath. Breath first appears in the second paragraph of the story, “Thank God for asthma” (59). This statement makes the reader wonder who has asthma and why would someone be thankful someone else has it. Asthma is a terrible condition that affects the lungs. Anyone with this condition will tell you how it can affect their everyday life. The fact that this is being called attention to by the author shows how strongly he wants our thoughts and emotions to be affected by his use of imagery. A second and different reference to breathing comes in the third paragraph. This is when the main character is coming off stage after her first performance. “You will catch quick breaths smiles and thank yous” (59). The exhilaration is still in the air with her excellent performance, and your own breaths are changed in reaction to such

The scent of smoke is heavy throughout the story. Whenever smoke appears, Pieter is sure to follow. The main character finds this smell intoxicating. “You will smell the smoke on him, and you will want to kiss him for it” (59). There is always that one person in your life and they have a certain smell. This smell makes you think of better times and comfort. These are the feelings the smell of smoke brings to the main character. Smoke stands for everything in this story. “his warm breath on your cheek and the smell of smoke and cologne in your nostrils” (61). The smoke makes Evra, “start coughing and you watch her clutch her stomach, her fists in balls against her abdomen, but she will still march towards him, screaming and rasping and coughing, their heads swimming in a cloud of smoke” (63). One can imagine all these events happening as they stand by the wayside. This sentence makes the reader think of how they would step in or act differently when someone is in distress. A white rose is mentioned quite frequently as well. The rose from Morris, her first love. “You will hold the white-petaled rose against your chin, smelling it, biting your lip” (64). “[I]nto the bag you didn’t realize he had there, and pulls out a white rose” (65). One can feel the importance of this flower. The importance of a token of affection and care for the main characters life is portrayed in the mention of the white rose. One can also feel