The imagery of freezing rain in Margaret Atwood's "Stone Mattress" conjures a scene where nature's elements behave like a festive celebration, with ice forming like rice scattered by a hidden reveler. This metaphor illustrates the beauty and fragility of winter, capturing how each flake of rain transforms upon contact with surfaces, resulting in a delicate layer of ice. The description reflects both wonder and the harshness of the season.

Atwood's use of vivid language emphasizes the magical yet cold reality of winter weather. The mention of "shining rice" suggests a sense of purity and glimmer, hinting at the unexpected beauty that can arise even in the bleakness of freezing conditions. This duality of nature evokes contemplation on the interplay between celebration and isolation that winter often brings, inviting readers to ponder the deeper meanings behind such natural phenomena.