How does Naguib Mahfouz use imagery in Midaq Alley?

Imagery:

"She was both a herald and a historian of bad news of all kinds and a veritable encyclopedia of woes."

"Zaita stopped short and then rushed down the steps, icy with fear and not knowing what to do. He retreated backward into the vault until his heel touched the corpse. He moved forward a step and stood glued to the floor, not knowing where to escape to. He thought of lying down between the corpses but before he could make a move he was enveloped in a dazzling light that blinded him. A loud voice shouted out in an Upper Egyptian accent, 'Up you come, or I'll fire on you.'"