Invisible Mass Of The Back Row, Claudette Williams (SS) Flashcards
Exposition
“hidden, disposed of, dispatched to the invisibility of the back row”
A01
Hortense reflects on the unfair treatment that students receive when they are sent to the back of the class
A02
the triplet of disparaging verbs reveals she feels ashamed in England as she is treated differently to those with lighter skin
lexical field of lanfill and rubbish amplifies Hortense’s irritation at being treated less than other people in her class because of the colour of her skin IAAI she is simply being thrown away
A03
In spite of slavery being abolished over 200 years prior Hortense is still treated differently perhaps Williams is trying to show the cruelty that occured even after the abolishment.
Mid-point
“We discover heroes, rebels, guerrilla fighters”
Pepper
“They help us assert our right to be”
A01
Hortense becomes joyful when she realises the richness of black history and the many resistors of the slave trade
A02
unifying pronoun “we” suggests the unity that can occur not just when facing racial prejudice but other areas of mistreatment both past and present
inspiring asyndetic list implies there is an endless list of people who were highly influential in the abolishment of the slave trade as “They help “ Hortense “assert “ her “right to be”
A03
Williams captures a pivotal moment in the protagonist’s character development growth as she gleefully connects with the diverse tapistry of Black History.
Denouement
“Voices are raised, claiming, proclaiming, learning the new language in dis here England”
she says it all “slowly” as opposed to earlier when the words “tumble out” due to embarrassment
A01
Hortense speaks up against the crimes of Columbus as she challenges history
A02
proud use of the patois (accented) “dis” reflects her new found joy and courage to use her Jamaican mother tongue as she embraces her cultural accent
renewed assonance “claiming, proclaiming” shows her heightened emotions and eagerness to spread the word of her history
A03
Hortense represents the children of migrant parents of the Windrush generation who arrived to a hostile welcome in England, she is Williams’ mouthpiece against racial inequality.
