In society we are surrounded by images, immersed in a visual world with symbols and meanings created using traditional literary devices, but augmented by the influence of graphics, words, positioning and color. The images in Peter Goldsworthy's novel Maestro (1989) move within these diameters, and in many ways the visions in Ivan Sen's film Beneath Clouds (2002) linger similarly. manner. Both of these texts explore themes of appearance versus reality and the influence of context, evoking emotion in the respondent through their distinctive visual elements. Deceptive impressions are directly related to the concept of appearance versus reality and the naive nature of first impressions. Maestro is a novel written in the first person and whose opening is constructed from a number of simple sentences that create a visual contrast between Keller's rustic physical features and the strict material characteristics of his clothing. This descriptive language highlights the visual absurdity of the scene, the climate being no factor in Keller's choice of clothing, yet his physical being of "incandescent glow of an alcoholic" demonstrated distinctive imagery. The narrator also reflects that Keller's greeting, costume, and accent had exceeded his father's judgment, and that the narrator's first impression was tainted by his father's visual perception. Emphasis is also placed on the naivety of Paul's first impression of Keller; only years later can the narrator suggest that the judgments he made about Keller were "misleading." The narrator adds "of course", suggesting that the naive and closed personality of the narrator in the opening scene has changed. Similarly, in Iven Sen's film Beneath Clouds, the concept of deceptive impressions is explored through a distinctive view...... middle of paper ....the colors of the opening scenes combine with Vaughn and Lena's horrific lifestyle, while the greens and rain droplets as they pass through the chain bring ideas of hope and the future for both characters. The vital role of the changing images surrounding the duo provides insight into the influence of settings on plot and character development. It is true that the essence of any story is emphasized by distinct visual images created for the audience. The ability of any composer – an artist with brushes, a musician with chords, or a writer with words – to seduce and evoke is at the center of a narrative. Peter Goldsworthy's novel Maestro and Iven Sen's Beneath Clouds evoke emotions in the respondent through distinctive visual elements and an exploration of the concepts of appearance versus reality and environmental influence..