from beyond the sky and earth- Jamie zeppa Flashcards
Imagery (Visual & Sensory)
“The mountains rise to meet the moon, and the clouds are golden.”
“Hilltops are covered with a thick windblown crust of snow.”
Effect: Creates a vivid picture of the Bhutanese landscape.
Appeals to the senses, helping readers imagine the setting clearly.
Simile and Metaphor
“The air is thin, crisp, and cold, like the inside of a fridge.”
“The town… is like a child’s model.”
Effect: Makes unfamiliar sights relatable.
Similes help readers connect emotionally to the environment.
Contrast
“The land is beautiful but it is not easy.”
“Everything is unfamiliar. Everything is new.”
Effect: Highlights the challenge and wonder of adapting to a new culture.
Emphasises the emotional journey — from discomfort to appreciation.
First-person Narrative / Personal Reflection
“I have been in Bhutan for two weeks.”
“I am full of admiration for this country.”
Effect: Makes the tone intimate and sincere.
Helps the reader understand her thoughts, feelings, and transformation.
Alliteration
“The Bhutanese are a proud people with a strong sense of tradition.”
Effect: Adds rhythm and emphasis, making certain descriptions more memorable.
Helps draw attention to cultural values and observations.
Positive Lexical Choices
“Unimaginably beautiful,” “proud people,” “strangely gentle.”
Effect: Creates a respectful and admiring tone.
Shows the narrator’s growing affection for Bhutan.
Juxtaposition of Natural vs. Man-made
“The town is small, with narrow winding streets… surrounded by fields.”
Effect: Shows how modern life is minimal and integrated with nature, emphasising Bhutan’s uniqueness.
Repetition for Emphasis
“Everything is unfamiliar. Everything is new.”
Effect: Emphasises her sense of overwhelm and discovery.
Reflects her emotional state and transition into a new world.
Chronological Order / Narrative Progression
The piece starts with her arrival and first impressions, then moves through physical descriptions, and ends with personal reflection.
Effect: Creates a journey-like feel — both physical (arrival in Bhutan) and emotional (from culture shock to admiration).
Shows her transformation in attitude over time.
Opening with Reflection
“I have been in Bhutan for two weeks.”
Effect: The opening places the reader midway into her experience, not at the very beginning.
Adds a sense of ongoing discovery and invites curiosity about what she’s learned so far.
Zooming In and Out (Descriptive Shifts)
From wide descriptions of the landscape → to detailed daily life and culture → to inner thoughts.
Effect: Keeps the reader engaged by shifting focus.
Mirrors how someone new to a place might process things — noticing the big picture first, then the finer details, then reflecting internally.
Contrast Between Expectations and Reality
“Everything is unfamiliar. Everything is new.”
Effect: Highlights the theme of adjustment — the structure lets us see how her mindset evolves.
The early confusion sets up the later appreciation.
Paragraph Structure: Long Descriptive Passages
Descriptions of mountains, streets, and people are often long, flowing paragraphs.
Effect: Reflects the awe and immersion she feels.
Slows the pace down to let readers take in the atmosphere.
Shift from Description to Emotion
Starts with observation → ends with personal feeling and admiration.
“I am full of admiration for this country.”
Effect: The structure shows her emotional journey, not just physical surroundings.
Builds to a positive, respectful tone at the end.
Ending with a Definitive, Reflective Statement
“I am full of admiration…”
Effect: Gives the piece a strong sense of closure.
Reinforces the message of appreciation and cultural respect.
