MY RIVAL'S HOUSE Flashcards
1
Q
[MY RIVAL’S HOUSE]
“peopled”
A
- word choice meaning populated/made up of; instead of people the house is filled with furniture and objects which suggests the rival is more concerned with objects than people.
2
Q
[MY RIVAL’S HOUSE]
“shuffle stocking-soled”
A
- this alliteration highlights how quiet and respectful the speaker feels she needs to act in the house since the mother is tempermental.
3
Q
-[MY RIVAL’S HOUSE]
“dust-covered, drawn shade.”
A
- the treatment of the house establishes a sense of the rival’s personality, as she doesn’t want people to know her true feelings and is always putting on an act; description of character.
4
Q
[MY RIVAL’S HOUSE]
“silver sugar-tongs and silver salver”
A
- the sibilance gives a serpentine quality to the mother and suggests she is hiding part of her personality and is not to be trusted.
- word choice displayes wealth the further intimidate the reader.
5
Q
[MY RIVAL’S HOUSE]
“glosses”
A
- word choice means to be shiny or to conceal something unfavourable.
- the rival does not pay any real attention to her guests and is more concerned with her appearance; this could also suggest she does not take their relationship seriously.
6
Q
[MY RIVAL’S HOUSE]
“capped tooth, polished nail”
A
- word choice is a play on words of the idiom ‘to fight tooth and nail’, which is fierce and suggests the animkalistic nature of the rivalry.
7
Q
[MY RIVAL’S HOUSE]
“fight, fight”
A
- repitition of ‘fight’ emphasises the rivalry between the women; it is ongoing and intense.
8
Q
[MY RIVAL’S HOUSE]
“first blood to her”
A
- word choice here is a play on words of ‘first blood’ in terms of lineage, acknowledging the blood relationship between the mother and son but also the fact that the rival has drawn first blood in the fight.
9
Q
[MY RIVAL’S HOUSE]
“Lady of the house. Queen bee.”
A
- word choice is a euphamism to describe the rival’s dominant position in the househowld and comes across quite standoffish.
10
Q
[MY RIVAL’S HOUSE]
“She won’t give up.”
A
- the final two lines completely sum up the hopelessness of the situation.
- in their simplicity and directness, these four words leave the reader in no doubt that this battle will rage on.
