P31

 Let's break down some of the more challenging words and phrases from the story.

Figurative Language and Imagery

• Roadway-in-time: This isn't a literal road. It's a metaphor for the main character's journey through her memories as she drives along a physical road. The road she's on is transporting her back in time mentally.

• Spanish moss draped over the limbs like a veil: Spanish moss is a plant that hangs from trees. The word draped means to hang loosely, and veil is a piece of fine material that covers the face or head. The image is of the moss hanging softly and covering the tree limbs like a piece of cloth.

• A longing that took everything else away: This describes a powerful feeling of desire or yearning. The man's longing was so intense and focused on the narrator that she could no longer see or feel anything else. It was an all-consuming feeling.

• The words he was reading touch her soul: This is a powerful expression of emotional impact. The words weren't just heard; they resonated deeply within her, affecting her on a profound, emotional level.

• He thumbed through old books with dog-eared pages: The verb thumbed through means to flip through the pages of a book with your thumb. Dog-eared pages are pages with the corners folded down, a common sign of a well-read and well-loved book. This detail shows that the books were old and had been read many times.

• He shook my white locks at the runaway sun: This line is a quote from Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself." White locks refers to clouds or mist, and runaway sun suggests the setting sun. The image is of the air or mist (the "white locks") moving in response to the disappearing sun.

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Descriptive Words

• Majestic: Grand, dignified, and impressive. A majestic oak tree is a large and impressive tree that stands out.

• Weathered: Worn or damaged by long exposure to the air and sun. The man's appearance is described as slightly weathered, suggesting he looked like someone who spent a lot of time outdoors and was a bit rough around the edges.

• Callused hands: Calluses are areas of hardened skin that form from repeated friction or pressure. The man's hands were callused from hard physical labor.

• Faint lines: These are wrinkles. The story says faint lines were beginning to form around his eyes, which is another sign of his slightly older, weathered appearance.

• Fluent: This means able to express oneself easily and gracefully. The man's accent was soft and fluent, indicating he spoke smoothly and with a natural rhythm.

• Intently: With focused and eager attention. When the man listened intently, he was paying very close attention to what the narrator was saying.