Imagery In 'Between Shades Of Gray'

Imagery Rough Draft
Imagery, when a writer describes something in such great detail, the reader can imagine the writer's meaning. Ruta Sepetys writes great samples of imagery in her writing. One of the many things that make up imagery is diction, extended metaphors, and rhetorical devices. A good example of the following parts in "Between Shades of Gray" is in two paragraphs in Chapter eight. Which is when Lina is describing what she sees at the train station
A main element of imagery is diction, also known as word choice. In one of the two paragraphs, Lina talks about seeing people with "white knuckles" as they carry their suitcases. The people at the train station do not want to lose their luggage, so they tightly hold onto their suitcases,

which is said to be the cause of knuckles turning white. Lina also sees "erupting bags" while people try tying their bags with twine as the N.K.V.D steps on the contents. “Erupting” means something is about to explode. From this, we can conclude that people are trying to pack all their clothes and other important things for their long journey. Some people, like Lina's mother, will bring many of their valuables.
Another important element in imagery is extended metaphors. A metaphor is comparing things without using like or as. Although there was no metaphor found in Chapter eight, there is an extended metaphor in Chapter fourteen. Lina "plants a seed of hatred" in her heart for the N.K.V.D, and she hopes it grows into a massive tree whose roots would strangle them all. Obviously, Lina does not literally plant a seed, and trees cannot strangle people. The metaphor actually means she hates the NKVD and wants to kill them all, and nothing will ever change that.
Finally, the most important part of imagery, rhetorical devices. Rhetorical devices are techniques the author uses when writing. In Chapter eight, there are two similes. Similes are comparing things using like or as. When Lina's family cuts through a crowd, she compares themselves to “a small boat cutting through a storm”. Lina's family is the small boat, and the crowd, which is as chaotic as a storm. Another simile used is when Lina sees a boy with "a sausage nearly as big as his body". This simile is also alliteration, which is when the author exaggerates something.
Overall, Ruta Sepetys uses imagery to help the reader be more in depth within the story. The imagery the author writes includes word choice, extended metaphors, and rhetorical devices. A good example of this is when Lina describes what she sees at the train station, chaos, and panic. The paragraphs have good examples of diction and rhetorical devices, but no metaphors, which there is one found later on in the story. In conclusion, imagery will be very important throughout “Between Shades of Gray”