How does Michael Ondaatje use imagery in Running in the Family?

The focus of the book is Michael's family. The Ondaatje family had lived in Ceylon for centuries, so he has a large number of relatives who live there. The main focus of the book is on his alcoholic father, Mervyn Ondaatje. He also focuses on his outrageous grandmother Lalla. Much of the imagery revolves around Ceylon/Sri-Lanka. The trains, tea plantations, countryside, culture....