Beyond the Sky and the Earth

Question 1

‘Bhutan is all and only mountains’

Answer 1

short sentence emphasises the key feature of Bhutan

Question 2

‘on the other side of mountains are mountains, more mountains and more mountains again’

Answer 2

use of listing and repetition of mountains creates imagery of the endless terrain. She feels isolated or in awe (overwhelmed by terrain)

Question 3

‘It is easier to picture a giant child’

Answer 3

-Analogy - it’s easier for the reader to imagine and it reflects her excitement at seeing the country

Question 4

‘I watch mountains rise to meet the moon’

Answer 4

-personification/alliteration- sense of childlike wonder, beautiful imagery

Question 5

‘I used to wonder’ vs ‘I found out’

Answer 5

shows past wonder and her realization, and possible loss of wonder for she realizes behind mountains are just more mountains.

Question 6

‘the winter air is thin and dry and very cold’

Answer 6

syndetic listing exaggerates conditions and can build tension

Question 7

‘instant coffee, powdered milk, plasticky white bread and flavourless red jam’

Answer 7

-the adjectives used show a poorer quality food as she compares it to western food

Question 8

‘(the girls) traveled extensively’

Answer 8

-their experience makes her feel more comfortable

Question 9

‘I stay close to them, hoping to pick up some of their enthusiasm’

Answer 9

-Has mixed feelings and shows uncertainty/vulnerability/exhaustion/anxiety

Question 10

‘20,000, it seems even smaller.’

Answer 10

-Feels claustrophobic as she is unsure of her surroundings

Question 11

‘plastic buckets and metal plates’

Answer 11

-shows signs of poverty

Question 12

‘It doesn’t even have traffic lights’

Answer 12

Shows Bhutan as an isolated, small population that is not even touched by technology

Question 13

‘Incomprehensible but graceful hand gestures’

Answer 13

Juxtaposition between adjectives, implies due to Bhutan’s small community, where everyone is so connected hand gestures can get across a message

Question 14

‘hideously coloured Orange Cream Biscuits’

Answer 14

Humorous for readers, use of asyndetic listing where the description of western influences is portrayed negatively

Question 15

‘high cheekbones and gentle smiles’

Answer 15

Use of long sentences and descriptive language provide positive imagery to show that there aren’t enough words or space to describe how beautiful they are

Question 16

‘varying hue, but similar cry’

Answer 16

-Modifies idiom ‘hue and cry’
-Makes satirical point about European colonialism and its effects on the rest of the world