Literary Focus: Characterization
The question below refers to the selection "The Prologue from The Canterbury Tales."
Which of the following quotations from "The Prologue” is the best example of imagery?
a. “Thinly they fell, like rat-tails, one by one."
b. "In fifteen mortal battles he had been."
C. "Just home from service, he had joined our ranks."
d. "He'd seen some service with the cavalry."
Please select the best answer from the choices provided

a. “Thinly they fell, like rat-tails, one by one."

Explanation:

As a literary device, imagery is the use of language to describe people, ideas or objects while appealing to bodily senses. The very word 'imagery' is associated with forming pictures in our brain, but as a device, imagery does not only appeal to the sense of sight. Instead, it includes all of our senses.

In this particular line, "Thinly they fell, like rat-tails, one by one", the word "thinly" and the phrase "like rat-tails" suggest that the device used is imagery. In all the other options, since there are no descriptions at all, it is easy to notice that there are no examples of imagery.

industrialization in great britain began with the global 'industrial revolution', a pioneer. industrialization in russia was the last in europe, a laggard.

great britain’s industrialization was driven by individual citizens, while russia’s was guided by the government.