What does "imagery" refer to in literature?

Imagery in literature refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping to create vivid mental pictures for the reader. This can involve evoking visual images, but imagery can also engage other senses such as sound, taste, touch, and smell. By appealing to these senses, imagery enhances the reader's experience and understanding of the text, allowing them to engage with the emotions and atmosphere of a scene more deeply.

For example, a writer might describe a setting by detailing the golden hues of a sunset, the gentle rustle of leaves, or the salty breeze of the ocean. This kind of descriptive language enriches the narrative by immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and feelings of the moment.

The other concepts listed, such as abstract ideas, character motivations, and plot complexities, do not specifically focus on sensory details. Abstract ideas are more conceptual and lacking in sensory engagement, character motivations are concerned with the reasons behind characters’ actions, and plot complexities deal with the intricacies of the story’s development rather than the detailed sensory experiences provided by imagery.