Nonfiction texts - A passage to Africa, Explorers daughter, Young and dyslexic Flashcards
Passage to Africa- what is the effect of the verb appalled?
The verb “appalled” highlights the atrocities that have occurred in Gufgaduud, and how originally, reporters and people back home would have been immensely affected by what they have been presented with. However, it later states that what may have “appalled” them previously, now ,”no longer impressed” them. This demonstrates the excessive portrayal of war in the media, and how over-exposure to these violent events has caused us to become highly desensitised to what we see, limiting our compassion and desire to help those in disastrous circumstances.
Passage to Africa- what is the effect of the simile “craving like a drug”?
The simile “like a craving for a drug” evokes a feeling of hostility, and further emphasises how society has developed a callous relationship towards tragedies such as these, as we have been exposed to such a vast amount of violent media that we no longer feel sympathetic over events that should be considered horrific. This has forced the media to pursue increasingly tragic events, hoping to make national headlines by shocking the public even more than they have become accustomed to, and earning large amounts of money in the process. This exponential search for distressing stories is similar to that of the addiction to a drug - constantly searching for the next level of potency.
Passage to Africa- what is the effect of the phrase “a fact of life”?
- Alagiah uses the phrase “a fact of life” to describe this horrific cycle, providing a sense of dismissal and neglect, which mirrors how much of the public would feel about these catastrophes - having pity for a short while before moving on with their own lives. This phrase also indicates that the idea of monetising those who are suffering has become accepted within society, and is perceived to be normal by most people.
- Similarly, the people living away from war and conflict are portrayed as relaxing “in the comfort of their sitting rooms”, heavily contrasting the harsh, war-torn environment described throughout the article and further implying that people in safe, western countries are disconnected from the struggles that many communities abroad are facing.
Passage to Africa- what is the effect of simile “like a ghost village”?
Alagiah uses a simile to describe the distant village of Gufgaduud as “like a ghost village”, physically because because the village has been plagued by death and suffering, but metaphorically because the people of Gufgaduud have lost all faith in external help and the village, albeit not entirely
destroyed, has stopped breathing entirely.
Passage to Africa-what is the effect of the phrase “famine away from the headlines”?
Furthermore, Alagiah saw a vision of “famine away from the headlines” which evokes a sense of guilt and sympathy from the reader as the suffering that people don’t see, and don’t acknowledge, is immense and that there is too much suffering to report.
Passage to Africa- what is the effect of the emotive language “it was rotting ,she was rotting”
The emotive language, “it was rotting; she was rotting” highlights the sheer level of suffering that people don’t hear about. In addition, the use of the pronoun, “it” creates a sense of isolation between the victim and the reader, dehumanizing them as if they are less than us because of what atrocities have happened to them.
Passage to Africa-what is the effect of the semantic field of death?
Alagiah uses a semantic field of death and suffering to portray how callous and unforgiving war can be. Alagiah revealed he saw an old woman who had been “abandoned by relatives” to convey how war is the survival of the fittest, and how even loved ones will not hesitate to leave you if you are a liability.
Passage to Africa-what is the effect of the sensory imagery in a passage to Africa? (“Decaying”, “smell of decaying flesh”, “putrid air”)
- Furthermore, he uses sensory imagery, “smell of decaying flesh” and “putrid air” to highlight how gruesome and merciless war can be on innocent people.
- The verb “decaying” evokes a sense of pity on the reader, as it implies that these helpless humans have been rotting for a long time, and that nobody has come to relieve them from their pain.
- Additionally, it also disconnect the reader from the victims of war even more, as “decaying” is often used to describe an inhuman object.
- Also author presents it in all its gruesomeness showing how he doesnt shy away from the truth.
Passage to Africa- what is the effect of the phrase “gentle V-shape”?
Alagiah uses the oxymoron, “gentle v-shape” to describe the shattered leg of a dying woman. The adjective “gentle” contrasts to the sharp angles of the suffering woman’s distigured leg, demonstrating the harsh reality of war compared to what they see at home. The use of “gentle” also indicates that Alagiah has respect for those who are suffering, and highlights how he believes they are still human despite their scars..
Passage to Africa- what is the effect of the tricolon “ simple, frictionless, motionless”?
The use of the tricolon “simple, frictionless, motionless” displays the harsh nature of the war, as the transition between life and death for those affected is effortless; they have suffered so greatly that death seems to be the only comfortable alternative. Furthermore, the use of gentle adjectives such as “frictionless” heavily contrasts the harsh, blunt descriptions used previously, for example, “enervating” and “terminal”. The use of contrast between these descriptions emphasises Alagiah’s own empathy with what he is witnessing, since he is trying to remain factual whilst also having compassion. Also the repetition of the suffix ‘less’ highlights that she may be lacking all the reader takes for granted.
Passage to Africa- what is the effect of the phrase “ to be in a feeding centre”
The anaphora “to be in a feeding centre” accentuates how the reader is disconnected from the struggles and harsh reality of war, as they have to imagine what it would be like to be in this horrific situation; they will never have to experience it themselves.
Passage to Africa- what is the effect of the short sentances to describe deaths at the middle of the article?
a short dramatic sentence in the middle describing the death in order to shock the reader with the quickness of it. Suggests the normality of these deaths.
Passage to Africa- what does the dying man keeping his hoe nearby symbolise?
- expresses the false hope of a ‘dying man’ who keeps his ‘hoe’ next to him (a farming tool), as though he still hopes to go and ‘till the soil once all this is over’. This creates pity through his hope is the face of inevitable death. Sowing things is very symbolic for the hope of new life, yet life is exterminated in this place.
Passage to Africa- what is the effect of the author never finding the smiling person’s name?
The fact that he never found out his name shows that for him he became simply an object, or a moment of revelation’, and without a name he becomes little more than the ‘facts and figures’ which the narrator thinks of as easy journalism, which doesn’t show the human story. Names are what distinguish people from simply being things that are written about, shows his own dehumanisation of his subject, even though he didn’t mean to. This contrasts with his revelation about the suffering that he saw.
What is the effect of the final sentance ,‘So my nameless friend, if you are still alive, I owe you one.’
The final sentence reflects Alagiah’s deep emotional connection to the “nameless friend,” humanizing the subject despite their anonymity. It conveys guilt and gratitude, as Alagiah feels indebted for the insight gained from their encounter. The phrase also highlights the fragility of life, emphasising the fleeting nature of their connection and the man’s uncertain fate.
