Poolside Imagery
Using his characteristic repetition, David Foster Wallace evokes an older poet's situation by a pool. He provides a sense of the man's ego through his later-in-life physique and state of lounging. By beginning the anthology with this image, Wallace establishes the book as one which depicts scenes of stasis and also shows people who are set in their patterns.
The Foundry
In the short story "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men," Wallace shows how several ladies' men spend time together in locations rife with such women; they visit a Foundry regularly and explore the nearby tavern for its sense of potential. Wallace's depiction of the Foundry using imagery allows the reader to understand the gap between what young people would like their lives to be and what the restrictions to their settings make their lives in an objective sense.
Images of Sex
David Foster Wallace begins "Adult World (I)" with a description of a couple's marital issues; in particular, he uses imagery to show their sexual incompatibility. The jarring details he provides cause a mood of discomfort that permeates the story, and the image of the couple engaged in the act of love-making leads to a sharp and vivid impression of the disputes between them.
Imagery of Church
In the story "Church Not Made with Hands," the imagery of the church sets up a strong imagery of Esther's interaction with the space. Wallace establishes the setting carefully and describes each physical aspect of the church in order to make the ending, in which Esther gets to - or must - observe the full size of the church, more vivid.
