How does Tom Jordan use imagery in Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine?

Imagery:

"'A strange camaraderie grew up at the time among those of us who lost continually to Pre. It was like the unity of the townspeople in Ken Kesey's novel Sometimes a Great Notion, a feeling grown of inadequacy and envy of a man whose motto, in Kesey's words, might have been, 'never give an inch.' We were united in our belief that no one should have the success coupled with pride that Pre had. We really wanted, I think, to see the big tree fall.'"

On the backstretch, Ebba tried to go by, and Prefontaine dug deeper. The stands were in turmoil, as Pre's people hysterically urged him on.