Hide and Seek Flashcards
‘Call out, call loud’
These imperatives directly address how to hide.
‘I’m ready…’
This immediately connotes the sense of childhood and innocence. The exclamatory sentence also shows the excitement he faces.
‘sacks…smell…seaside’
Sibilance emphasises imagery of the seaside which could reflect his excitement
‘they’ll never find you’
This internal dialogue shows his confidence and excitement as the writer contemplates the prospect of winning, but it also shows his isolation.
‘The floor is cold’
This short sentence creates an image of where the child is hiding.
‘Salty dark’
The use of synaesthesia suggests a taste with darkness which could foreshadow what will happen later on in the poem.
‘they come prowling in’
This connotation of a predator creates tension and makes the reader feel vulnerable as there is no names given at all.
‘Whispering…heard…hushed’
These verbs could suggest something sinister, as they plot something secretive, while excluding the child who is hiding.
‘Don’t breathe, don’t move…’
The short sentence imperatives create tension but the line iambic feet creates a rhythm like a heartbeat which could show how the child is nervous.
laughter scuffle, and there gone’
This could suggest how they know the child is hiding there but are not finding him on purpose. This also shows how the poet is oblivious which evokes pity in the reader.
‘The cold bites’
The personification of the cold shows his discomfort as he waits longer and longer to be found.
‘That’s better!’
This exclamatory sentence emphasises the relief the child feels after waiting for so long.
‘I’ve won!’
This exclamatory sentence emphasises the excitement of the child. But ironically it is him looking for them now.
‘Bushes hold their breath’
The personification of the bushes shows how people will be. bystanders as you grow up in life.
‘The sun is gone’
Metaphor shows how the world will get dark and cold but you need to face it yourself.
‘But where are they who sought you?’
Rhetorical question shows the difference between the start and end. You will be on your own and you need to be prepared
