Between a rock and a hard place Flashcards
How does the extract begin
Begins in media res (in the middle of the action)
How does the present tense effect the reader
It makes it more dramatic and immediate to the reader
Why does the writer use statistics at the beginning of the extract
To emphasise danger of the terrain and the height and narrowness of the space
What is the tone in the opening paragraph
Calm and factual
How could the word ‘claustrophobic’ effect the reader
Make the reader nervous as he is an experienced climber so it must be very narrow
How could the word ‘sometimes’ have an effect on the reader
The adverb could cast doubt and uncertainty on whether his climbing technique will be successful this time.
What device is ‘large bus tire’
Imagery to enable to enable non-climbing readers to visualise the situation
What device is ‘kick’, ‘step’, ‘lower’, ‘squat’, ‘grip’, ‘hang’, ‘test’.
A proliferation of dynamic verbs
Analyse ‘consumes the sky’
Metaphorical the boulder is a pertruding darkness emphasises size of stone as it blocks the light.
What device is ‘time dilates’
Metaphor
What device is ‘as if I’m dreaming’
Simile the accident is not real and is just a figure of imagination
What device is ‘then silence’
Short sentence to describe the shock and aftermath of the accident. Silence emphasise how alone he is and nobody knows where he is.
What device is ‘mind’ and ‘body’
Binary juxtapostition of the mind and body - he knows he needs the right mental attitude to help himself.
What device is ‘growl’
Alliteration - animalistic onomatopoeia he has reverted to animal instincts to survive.
