The imagery of the little town
The author writes, "The little town straggling up the hill was bright with colored Christmas lights. However, George Pratt did not see them. He was leaning over the railing of the iron bridge, staring down moodily at the black water." The imagery is significant because it shows readers all is not well with George, a banker who has lived in this town for over ten years. George is depressed because, despite working for years, he does not have anything, and making matters worse, he is disconnected from his family.
The little man
The narrator's description of the little man shows an ordinary person, but the reader later realizes that he is mysterious. The narrator says, "George turned resentfully to a little man he had never seen before. He was stout, well past middle age, and his round cheeks shone pink in the winter air as though they had been shaved." George is angry at this ordinary young man who interferes with his deep thought. The imagery is important because the young man is God-sent to save his life. The little man gives George a satchel as survival magic that will enable him to be accepted by everybody.
A queer chuckling sound
The little man chuckles to signify that he knows everything about George. The narrator says, "The little man made a queer chuckling sound." The little man starts by telling George that his profession is banking. The little man reveals that George's wife is Mary, and she has two kids. The imagery is important because it shows that the little man is mysterious, and he can solve George's problems.
