English Literature (Absence - Pg27) 2024 Flashcards
“Son walks towards Mother at table, kisses Mother in forehead… he opens a box, places it in front of her.”
[EVIDENCE]
Evidence: (quote) “Son walks towards Mother at table, kisses Mother in forehead… he opens a box, places it in front of her.”
“Son walks towards Mother at table, kisses Mother in forehead… he opens a box, places it in front of her.”
[POINT]
Point: (technique) The playwright uses semiotic mode of gestural through body movement of the character.
“Son walks towards Mother at table, kisses Mother in forehead… he opens a box, places it in front of her.”
[ELABORATION 1]
Elaboration: (unpack words/phrases) The phrases “kisses Mother in forehead, opens a box, places it in front of her” shows Son taking on the main role of the caregiver. It shows how willing he is to show that he cares for Mother and wants her validation. Son would like to be portrayed as “the good son” and “the filial son”, just like Mervin, who praised by Mother.
“Son walks towards Mother at table, kisses Mother in forehead… he opens a box, places it in front of her.”
[ELABORATION 2]
Son would also like to prove his career choice does have some perks, one of them being which allows him to let him take more leaves. This would be ideal as it would mean that Son could spend more time at home, with Mother and look after her.
“Son walks towards Mother at table, kisses Mother in forehead… he opens a box, places it in front of her.”
[LINK]
Link: (close up) Thus, the playwright uses semiotic modes through gestural body movements.
“You were always jealous of Cheryl!”
[POINT]
Point: (technique) The playwrights uses aural semiotic mode.
“You were always jealous of Cheryl!”
[EVIDENCE]
Evidence: (quote) “You were always jealous of Cheryl!”
“You were always jealous of Cheryl!”
[ELABORATION]
Elaboration: (unpack words/phrases) The words “always jealous” shows that Mother jumps to conclusions and assumes that Son always has something to be jealous about. She thinks that he is envious and inferior to his other siblings, like Cheryl, who always “the fireworks of the family”. Therefore, Son himself would be ashamed and spiteful of his siblings’ talents and skills. The “!” after ‘of Cheryl” highlights Mother’s disappointment towards Son in a way when she screamed at Son.
“You were always jealous of Cheryl!”
[LINK]
Link: (close up) Thus, the playwright uses aural semiotic mode through tone and volume.
“No! I have always looked up to Mervin!”
[POINT]
Point: (technique) The playwrights uses aural semiotic mode.
“No! I have always looked up to Mervin!”
[EVIDENCE]
Evidence: (quote) “No! I have always looked up to Mervin!”
“No! I have always looked up to Mervin!”
[ELABORATION]
Elaboration: (unpack words/phrases) The word “no” and the use of “!” after “No” highlights Son’s desperation to convince Mother about how he truly feels which contradicts what Mother says. He shouts loudly to show that he is not jealous of Mervin as seen from the use of two “!” and the phrase “always looked up to Mervin”.
“No! I have always looked up to Mervin!”
{LINK]
Link: (close up) Thus, the playwright uses aural semiotic mode through tone and volume.
“Mother, I’m sorry I shouted at you.”
[POINT]
Point: (technique) The playwright uses linguistic element.
“Mother, I’m sorry I shouted at you.”
[EVIDENCE]
Evidence: (quote) “Mother, I’m sorry I shouted at you.”
“Mother, I’m sorry I shouted at you.”
[ELABORATION]
Elaboration: (unpack words/phrases) The words “I’m sorry” shows that Son feels guilty for having shouted at Mother and acting rashly. This highlights that Son likes to treat Mother with respect at all times. It also signifies “I love you, I shouldn’t have shouted at you.”
“Mother, I’m sorry I shouted at you.”
[LINK]
Link: (close up) Thus, the playwright uses linguistic semiotic mode.
“He goes to the other end of the table”
[POINT]
Point: (technique) The playwright uses spatial semiotic mode.
“He goes to the other end of the table”
[EVIDENCE]
Evidence: (quote) “He goes to the other end of the table”
“He goes to the other end of the table”
[ELABORATION]
Elaboration: ( unpack words/phrases) The phrase” goes to the other end of the table” implies the distance between the two characters, Mother and Son. It highlights, just like how they are seated at the table, their relationship is also distant.
“He goes to the other end of the table”
[LINK]
Link: (close up) Thus, the playwright uses the semiotic mode of spatial.
“It’s not that I love you less than Mervin. How can a mother love one child less than the others?”
[POINT]
Point: (technique) The playwright uses the breaking of the fourth wall.
“It’s not that I love you less than Mervin. How can a mother love one child less than the others?”
[EVIDENCE]
Evidence: (quote) “It’s not that I love you less than Mervin. How can a mother love one child less than the others?”
“It’s not that I love you less than Mervin. How can a mother love one child less than the others?”
[ELABORATION]
Elaboration: (unpack words/phrases) The phrase “How can a mother love one child less than the others?” uses rhetorical question. It shows that Mother is reflective and says that she does love Son. She does not want him to feel hated on as he is her child. This also highlights that Mother is not completely cold and shut off as she has been thinking of her words. She seeks to clarify and lessen Son’s pain.
