Hanging

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

A hanging is a short Non-fiction essay by George Orwell. Orwell explores his disgust of capital punishment through a prisoner getting hanged and how the people involved deal with that. The story follows Orwell in his time in the British imperial police in Burma, between 1921 and 1927.

Question 2

quotes for setting

Answer 2

“a sodden morning of the rains”
foreshadowing for the miserable day to come. made to feel bad because prisoners are wet, not staying inside.
“fronted with double bars, like animal cages”
shows that the prisoners aren’t trusted or treated like humans because they could escape.
The animal cages imply that the guards want to dehumanise them to excuse the way that they are treating the prisoners
“sickly light”
nauseating, an unnatural atmosphere

Question 3

quotes for symbolism

Answer 3

“bounding among us”
dog is full of life, unlike man on way to death. dog sees the good in the man, humanises the man.
“he stepped slightly aside to avoid a puddle on the path”
on his way to be slaughtered he tries to keep his last bit of dignity. also the turning point of the essay

Question 4

climax

Answer 4

“Ram!Ram!Ram!”
hindu god of protecting. could be calling out because he was because he’s an innocent man seeking comfort in God in his last few minutes. no point of pleasing to those around him bc they wont do anything.
controlling the situation with the chanting and he is holing on to his last bit of dignity.
“dead as stone”
contrast moments before crying out, now no noise is made.

Question 5

Theme of irony

Answer 5

“ive got a bottle of whisky in the car. we could do with it.”
usually alcohol is consumed at parties but this is the opposite, the guards dampen their anxieties. all of them feel guilty and are aware it is wrong of killing them.
“the dead man was a hundred years away”
they were practically celebrating taking a life taken, the sort sentence summarises.
reminders of act that occurred
“he’s alright said the superintendent”
clearly not alright because he is dead,

Question 6

conclusion

Answer 6

very clear that he is against capital punishment
Abolishing capital punishment

Question 7

Characterisation

Answer 7

Puny wisp of a man
Representative of mistreatment + malnourished
Vague eyes
Upset eyes
,
Six tall Indian workers
Well-fed + strong juxtaposed-they go on to use their physical to exert control and unnecessary force over the prisoner