A HANGING (ESSAY)

Question 1

“like small animal cages.” (para 1)

Answer 1

• use of smilie
  conjures the image of tiny residences that harm the physical and mental wellbeing of the animals who live in such unsuitable conditions. denied of basic human comfort. less than human.

Question 2

“plank beds” (para 1)

Answer 2

• use of word choice
  suggest conditions are inhumane, a plank is a narrow strip of wood that would provide no comfort or rest. creates sympathy, no basic rights or comfort, essential needs are ignored, viewed less than human.

Question 3

‘puny wisp of a man’ (para 2)

Answer 3

• use of word choice of puny/metaphor of wisp
  the poor physical condition of the condemned man: weak, malnourished, fragile. sentence invites neglect, inmates suffer physically.

Question 4

what are the techniques in the introduction?

Answer 4

• setting
• physical description
• symbolism
• climax

Question 5

“looking out at us timidly” (para 3)

Answer 5

• word choice
  dog symbolises natural world, sees people as equal. illustrates idea that killing of another man is unnatural.

Question 6

“one mind less, one world less” (para 5)

Answer 6

• anaphora
  avoiding puddle symbolises human survival instinct, each death is a loss, no life lost prematurely. sparks orwell’s epiphany “unspeakable wrongness”

Question 7

“the dead man was a hundred yards away”

Answer 7

• CLIMAX
  everyone suffers when involved in capital punishment, last words of the story.

Question 8

“fat Dravidian in a white drill suit and gold spectacles” (para 2)

Answer 8

• creates contrast
  provides evidence of wealth and health due to proper nourishment, this backs up the severity of the prisoners conditions.

Question 9

“wagging it’s whole body” (para 3)

Answer 9

• hyperbolic statement
  emphasises the joy, the dog is unaware of the reason for the procession.

Question 10

“made a dash for the prisoner” (para 3)

Answer 10

this indicates the dog sees everyone as equals and the eyes of nature don’t discriminate against anyone.

Question 11

“when i saw the prisoner step aside to avoid the puddle, i saw the mystery, the unspeakable wrongness, of cutting life short when it is in full tide” (para 4)

Answer 11

justifies the human survival instinct by avoiding and minimise discomfort, sparks george orwell’s epiphany of unspeakable wrongness, of ending a life when the man is healthy and in his prime.