What best describes the literary device gordimer employs in this excerpt from "1959: what is apartheid? " to develop the theme?

The literary device that Gordimer employs in the excerpt is Imagery.

Imagery is a literary device used to represent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses. Usually it is thought that imagery makes use of particular words that create visual representation of ideas in our minds.

Imagery and anecdotes

when world war i broke out across europe in 1914, president woodrow wilson proclaimed the united states would remain neutral, and many americans supported this policy of nonintervention. however, public opinion about neutrality started to change after the sinking of the british ocean liner lusitania by a german u-boat in 1915; almost 2,000 people perished, including 128 americans. along with news of the zimmerman telegram threatening an alliance between germany and mexico, wilson asked congress for a declaration of war against germany. the u.s. officially entered the conflict on april 6, 1917.

rain drop drop top my name is nick harris and this is my pawn shop