How does the author use imagery in the novel, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves?

Throughout the book, Rose constantly refers to objects by the scent that they give off. Sometimes, she even refers to people’s feelings by the scents that they are giving off, and she associates certain memories with certain scents. At first this just seems like the writer is adding additional details to the book, but once Rose starts to remember her time with Fern it becomes clear that these mannerisms are symbolic of her repressed monkey girl persona. Just like a chimp, Rose would sniff at people and objects. While she wasn’t at direct with it, she retained this trait even into adulthood which is why she brings it up so much in her descriptions.