Imagery

"Glossy purple clot"

• The description of the first ripe blackberry as a "glossy purple clot" highlights its deep colour and appealing look, symbolising the height of youth and the promise of enjoyment.
• This image portrays the berry as something valuable and brimming with potential, like a precious stone.
• The word "clot" also hints at the berry's juicy, almost blood-like quality, connecting to the idea of "summer's blood".
• This image encapsulates youth's initial excitement and innocence, highlighting the allure and sweetness of life's early experiences.

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"A rat-grey fungus"

• In contrast, the "rat-grey fungus" on the blackberries after picking symbolises decay and disappointment.
• The grey colour and comparison to a rat create a sense of spoilage and unpleasantness, contrasting with the initial joy of the harvest.

• This imagery highlights the inevitable decay and the harsh reality that follows early pleasures. It reflects the shift from youthful innocence to the disillusionment of adulthood. The vivid description of the mouldy berries underscores the theme of impermanence.