Metaphor is central to my research question and I have used non-verbal metaphor througout my book to convey different messages about time. The background images are also representing the inner world of the characters and work particulary well to give a sense of inside being outside in spread 10.
1. Clocks are used in the backgrounds to convey a sense of urgency, particularly in spreads where Mum is rushing. Mum wears a watch and there are clocks on the wall in the sewing shop.
2. Shadows appear subtley at first like in the spread where they are entering the shop, shadows from the trees are begining to creep over the hill. They get longer and more scary as indigo becomes more anxious about time running out. This is also connected to the sun going down and the day coming to an end in reference to ‘end of life’.
3. Buttons are used as a metaphor for money, as though indigo violet is imagining the buttons are coins she is saving in her jar. trying to ‘save’ so she can ‘spend’ more time with Mum.
4. Leaves represent the passing of time and are used to represent a more natural and gentle sense of time passing slowly and calmly.