How does Edna St. Vincent Millay use imagery in Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China?

Imagery:

"She was a pious Buddhist and every day in her prayers asked Buddha not to reincarnate her as a woman. 'Let me become a cat or a dog, but not a woman,' was her constant murmur as she shuffled around the house, oozing apology with every step."

"One day my father was so hungry he went into their kitchen and ate a cold sweet potato. When his sister found out she turned on him and yelled: 'It's difficult enough for me to support our mother. I can't afford to feed a brother as well.' My father was so hurt he ran out of the house and never returned."