But Mama, crying, told me that even if William Armstrong lived, he would never do these things with me. He might not, she sobbed, even be “all there.” He might, as long as he lived, lie on the rubber sheet in the center of the bed in the front bedroom where the white marquisette curtains billowed out in the afternoon sea breeze, rustling like palmetto fronds.

Question

But Mama, crying, told me that even if William Armstrong lived, he would never do these things with me. He might not, she sobbed, even be “all there.” He might, as long as he lived, lie on the rubber sheet in the center of the bed in the front bedroom where the white marquisette curtains billowed out in the afternoon sea breeze, rustling like palmetto fronds.

What best describes the effect of the sensory imagery used in this excerpt?

It allows the reader to correctly predict that Doodle will never be able to walk.
It helps the reader to better visualize the life that might lie ahead for Doodle.
It introduces the reader to the setting that exists throughout most of the story.
It shows the reader to see that Doodle’s mom is incapable of feeling hope.

Answer 1

It helps the reader to better visualize the life that might lie ahead for Doodle.

Answer 2

The effect of the sensory imagery used in this excerpt is that it helps the reader to better visualize the life that might lie ahead for Doodle.

Answer 3

The sensory imagery used in this excerpt helps the reader to better visualize the life that might lie ahead for Doodle. The mention of the rubber sheet in the center of the bed, the white marquisette curtains billowing in the afternoon sea breeze, and the rustling sound like palmetto fronds give the reader a vivid picture of the setting and atmosphere surrounding Doodle. This helps the reader to imagine the potential challenges and limitations Doodle may face due to his condition. It doesn't necessarily indicate that Doodle will never be able to walk, but it sets the stage for a life that may be different from what his sibling (the narrator) would have expected.