How does Susan Minot use imagery in Lust?

In The Swan in the Garden, the garden area - so critical to the success of the story - is described well using some of the strongest imagery presented in the entire collection. The wet plants, soils, statues, and other aspects are all described in intimate and exact detail and serve to anchor the second scene of the story. While it is described well in physical terms, the garden is not clearly situated, leaving its relationship to the surrounding neighborhood uncertain. The garden could be public, or it could, perhaps, be a private area. In this way, the uncertain situation of the garden becomes an interesting allegorical parallel to Evelyn's personal situation.