In the Waiting Room Flashcards
Setting the scene, almost like the beginning of a story. First person makes it personal. Past tense so a memory.
In Worcester, Massachusetts,
I went with Aunt Consuelo
to keep her dentist’s appointment
Short sentences, dull imagery. Basic, simplistic language create image of a child’s perspective.
It was winter. It got dark
early.
Referring to adults in a childlike manner, reiterates the fact that this is a childhood memory.
The waiting room
was full of grown-up people
Simile. Still childlike perspective, no concept of time totally but thinks it has been a while. Probably bored.
My aunt was inside
what seemed like a long time
Child trying to show off the fact that she can read, she is proud of that fact. Wants to be grown-up too and read the National Geographic, something that she most likely wouldn’t usually have an opportunity to read. Suggests she is quite a curious child.
I read
the National Geographic
(I could read)
Things Bishops may not have seen before such as a volcano. Bizarre imagery that bring the world to life before her. Introduce her to the dangers of the outside world
the inside of a volcano,
black, and full of ashes;
then it was spilling over
in rivulets of fire.
Violent, frightening imagery of cannibalism and and dead men impaled on poles. Not sights for a child.
A dead man slung on a pole
- ‘Long Pig,’ the caption said
Grotesque imagery of babies with string wrapped around their necks. Repetition suggests that Bishops was almost hypnotised by the image.
Babies with pointed heads
wound round and round with string
Horrifying images of women that elongate their necks to look more attractive and put lots of jewellery on them. Their bodies were on show, unusual sight for a young girl. Repetition suggests that Bishops was almost hypnotised by the image.
black, naked women with necks
wound round and round with wire
like the necks of light bulbs
Plain language expressing Bishop’s disgust at the sight
Their breasts were horrifying.
The images, although horrific and grotesque, captivated Bishop. She couldn’t stop looking at them because they had opened up a whole new world for her
I was too shy to stop.
Bishop seems mature beyond her years and has little time for people who try her patience. Suggests she didn’t feel like she belonged with this family member
I knew she was
a foolish, timid woman.
Bishop gets lost in the spiral of her own thoughts. Once again, demonstrating she is mature beyond her years. The images horrified her into realising that she was just as ignorant as her aunt.
What took me
completely by surprise
was that it was me:
my voice, in my mouth
Her identity was suddenly taken away from her in this spiral of overwhelming thoughts.
I was my foolish aunt.
Repetition illustrates how Bishop was slipping away from reality and into a state of confusion and puzzlement. She no longer knew who she was, an identity crisis
I - we - were falling, falling
