Basking Shark Flashcards
1st stanza language
“Rise” - word choice
“On a rock” - metaphor
“(Too often)” - parenthesis
What is the significance of the word “rise”?
Connotes powerful and mighty, suggesting the shark is in control of the situation, whereas Maccaig was surprised, which was frightening for him.
What is the significance of the metaphor “on a rock”?
Literally, a rock is a sturdy, solid object that is usually rather heavy. This is compared to the shark, which suggests that after Maccaig hit the shark with the oar, it seemed indifferent and without feeling. Highlights Maccaig’s powerlessness in this situation.
What is the significance of the parenthesis “(too often)”?
Draws attention to the fact that it was a frightening, unpleasant experience. It highlights that he wouldn’t want it to happen again because of his fear.
What quotes from the 2nd or 3rd stanza convey his experience of the shark?
“Displaced” word choice
“Shoggled” word choice
“Met” word choice
“Townee” word choice
What is the significance of the word “displaced”?
Connotes change and movement. Suggests experience has shifted his mindset. Rethinking the role of humans in the animal/natural world.
Word choice of “Shoggled”
Connotes pushed and agitated. Suggests the experience has shaken him to rethink his attitude towards animals like the shark. His perspective has been forced to change.
“Met” word choice
Connotes friendly and pleasant. Suggests the experience is no longer scary to think about. He remembers it fondly.
“Townee” word choice
Connotes being sheltered and disconnected from nature. He can now realise and critique how separated he is from it.
“Monster” word choice
Connotes brutality and primativeness. Suggests being low on the evolutionary scale, unintelligent, basic animal.
“Roomsized” word choice
Connotes large and overwhelming size.
Quotes from the last two paragraphs
“Dirt” word choice
“In one fling” parenthesis
“Made me grow pale” metaphor
“Sail after sail” repetition
“Dirt” word choice
Connotes natural, elemental. Suggests him recognising that him and the shark are both made up of the same fundamental components to life. Suggests his realisation of their shared origins.
“In one fling” parenthesis
Draws attention to the swiftness of the realisation. Suggests it was quick and sudden when he finally had this new understanding of animal life.
“Made me grow pale” metaphor
Literally, it means he changed colour due to a physical feeling. Suggests that this new understanding of humanity’s unimportance affected him so much that he felt a physical reaction to it.
