Language
The story “The Abortion” by Alice Walker is conveyed in the narrative mode with a few instances of direct speech between Imani and Clarence, showing the way they interac…
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Imagery
Imagery is used from time to time in connection with the characters, setting, and actions, showing readers what is happening in the story, like in the following examples: “They were in the living room of the…
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Similes and metaphors
The text includes a few comparisons. For example, the grayness of Imani’s skin color is described “as if all her blood had leaked out” (p. 152, l. 3), a hyperbolic comparison meant to emphasize how the character feels after the abortion and the physical effect of having such a procedure.
Also, the church choir wearing green is compared with a field of corn, conveying a relaxing visual image: “entranced by the brilliant, swaying color…
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Rhetorical questions
In the first part of the text, a rhetorical question is used to convey Imani’s thoughts, which suggests that she tries to find reasons not to resent her husband for not wanting to keep…
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Symbols
The most important symbols in the story are the colors. The text frequently mentions the colors of rooms or of the characters’ outfits. Green is a dominant color (Imani wears green, the choir wears green) and becomes a symbol of resilie…
