Why is imagery so important in poetry (and song lyrics)?
In "Puerto Rico," Natalie Frontera describes rows of houses painted pink or blue and the music of "old Spanish guitars." She remembers having fun with her sister and the taste of "strawberry flavored ice." As she explores her memories of a place she misses, Frontera brings readers along so that they can experience it, too.
What role does imagery play in this journey? Read each of these passages from "Puerto Rico," and identify which sense is involved. Then consider how the imagery in the passage helps you understand Frontera's feelings about her family's origins.
Baby pink and baby blue
Painted walls inside the alley
Of a place that isn't new
Question
What kinds of sensory details appear in these lines? What do those details suggest about Puerto Rico?
This imagery is all about how things look—colorful and maybe a little old-fashioned. You might guess that some people in Puerto Rico love color since they paint their buildings in bright shades.
The old Spanish guitars
Serenading all the people
Traveling from near and far
Question
What kinds of sensory details appear in these lines? What do those details suggest about Puerto Rico?
This imagery catches your ear. If you've ever heard live music played outdoors, you know the feeling it can create as people all around you hear it.
It feels just like yesterday
The kites were soaring high
Question
What kinds of sensory details appear in these lines? What do those details suggest about Puerto Rico?
Here's more visual imagery that appeals to your sense of sight. But think a bit—what has to happen for kites to soar? The wind has to blow—briskly. Can you imagine that feeling? This imagery engages the sense of touch, too.
the grin on my sister's face
Strawberry flavored ice
Question
What kinds of sensory details appear in these lines? What do those details suggest about Puerto Rico?
This detail may bring a sweet taste and a cold sensation to mind. That's because this imagery appeals to the senses of taste and touch. The imagery suggests that, to Frontera, life in Puerto Rico is sweet and refreshing, like a snow cone on a hot day.
Text
Guided Notes
Tutor
Video
How To
Meet your new study partner! With our powerful Student Tools, your online learning experience just got more accessible,
personalized, and thought-provoking than ever before!
Do you feel like you learn better when you watch videos? You’re not alone!
Research shows instructional videos can make learners more engaged and active in online classes,
when compared to text-only lessons.
Student Tools lets you turn some lesson pages into videos instantly! Just click the Student Tools tab and select Video.
Remember, video instruction is not available on every lesson page.
Go back to the lesson page any time by closing the Student Tools window.
Sometimes when you learn, it can feel like you’re just not getting it. Maybe you don’t really know what all the words on
the page mean, or you have to read a paragraph two or three times to understand what it’s about.
If this happens to you, just click the Student Tools tab and choose “Text.” This will automatically
simplify the instruction, making it easier to understand and remember.
Go back to the lesson page any time by closing the Student Tools window.
The science is in, and taking notes is one of the best ways to reinforce your learning.
Notes work even better when you write them by hand, since you’re more likely to put complex new ideas
in your own words and remember them longer.
You can quickly and easily access guided notes, as well as key lesson vocabulary,
by clicking Student Tools > Notes. Choose a PDF or Word Doc,
and fill them out online -- or even better-- print them out and take notes by hand!
Go back to the lesson page any time by closing the Student Tools window.
Imagine a teacher you can contact anytime, who is happy to answer all your questions and
knows pretty much everything in the world about the subject you need help with.
Say, “Hello!” to your Tutor! Click on Student Tools > Tutor, and ask any question about your class.
Your Tutor is super smart! You can ask the Tutor to explain things more clearly, make connections
between ideas, or even give you custom quizzes and feedback. You can click the links under References to learn more.
Go back to the lesson page any time by closing the Student Tools window.
Student Tools lets you create your own Flashcard decks to help you study. To get started, click Student Tools >
Flashcards. Press Add New Set and give it a title.
Now, decide what will be on the front and back of your first card. It can be a term and definition, a challenging question,
or even a funny phrase that helps you remember something. Click Add Card to Set to make a new Flashcard.
You can delete sets or cards by clicking the trash can icon. When you’re done, click Save Cards to Set.
Now you can Review your deck. Read the front of the card, and think of the answer. Even better, say your answer out loud! Then, click the card to flip it over.
Depending on how you did, you can either keep that card in the deck to study again by clicking Next or Previous, or if you got it right, click remove.
Remember to review your flashcards often, space out study sessions, and keep practicing until you know them all!
Go back to the lesson page any time by closing the Student Tools window.