Thousands of Ghost Boys Standing (Visual Imagery)
In Sarah's bedroom, Jerome speaks with the ghost of Emmett Till, who reveals to him and Sarah that many other ghost boys like them exist. To prove it, Emmett brings Sarah and Jerome to the window to look outside. Jerome comments: "A shadow. Then, another. And another. Another and another. Hundreds, thousands of ghost boys standing, ever still, looking up, through the window into our souls." In this example of visual imagery, Rhodes heightens the drama of Jerome's revelation that he is one of many victims of racist violence by describing how the shadow-like ghosts pop up one at a time until there are thousands of slain Black boys standing on the street and lawn.
Crack—I Loved the Sound of the Bat (Auditory Imagery)
During one of their heart-to-heart conversations, Emmett and Jerome discuss what in their lives was most "real" to them. Emmett says, "For me, baseball was real. … Crack—I loved the sound of the bat hitting the ball." In this example of auditory imagery, Emmett emphasizes the satisfying "crack" sound of a wooden baseball bat hitting a ball to bring Jerome into his memories of the game.
Smell of Sadness (Olfactory Imagery)
On the night Emmett Till is willing to share the story of his murder with Jerome, Jerome comments: "Tonight feels different. Emmett has something to say. I can’t help but listen. Just as I can’t help knowing sadness has a smell. It’s a musty closet with rotting food and maggots." In this example of olfactory imagery, Jerome relates the unpleasant rotting scent that he associates with sadness now that he is a ghost.
Taps, Tap-Taps (Auditory Imagery)
Toward the end of the novel, Jerome shadows Carlos and Kim as Carlos walks her home from school. To boost Kim's spirits, Carlos "snaps a tree branch, then snaps it again. Drumsticks. He taps, tap-taps buildings, steps, and metal trash cans." In this example of auditory imagery, Jerome describes the spontaneous rhythm Carlos creates by drumming with twigs on various objects.
