"You could see bits of skin starting to bond, and soft red bits peeping up from underneath." (Page 85)
Yuck. Why on earth would I want to picture this? Thank God I have a strong stomach because Ishiguro busted out the imagery when describing Tommy's gash on his elbow. Imagery is supposed to enhance the images we picture while reading whether they be lovely or gruesome. Well, Ishiguro did well. I imagined that healing gash on poor Tommy's elbow. (Which is exactly what the author wanted by the way.) Without this accurately sick description, I wouldn't fully grasp the story. Nor would I remember this specific scene.
In addition to its enduring qualities, imagery simply makes the story better, more real. There is a big difference between "the cut" and "the blood-oozing gash." Sorry to upset your stomach with my flawless spinning of the macabre words, but it had to be done.
why is this scene important to remember?
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