Scotts Diary Flashcards
Lexis
Use of military lexis March and tragedy all along the line
Metaphorical implications of the line our military His experience is therefore illustrated as warlike and perhaps his mental state is representative of a fault line
Quantifying phrase all illustrates the unpreventable irreversible nature of the situation is that he has found himself in
This may be an attempt to protect his masculinity due to the 20th century ideology of the traditional gentlemen in Victorian Britain he is self capturing his own Valore and strength due to the knowledge that this may be found and read
The juxtaposing semantic fields and intimacy and violation and destruction
The semantic field of intimacy contains the adjective seductive this may reflect the enticing nature of the idea of scientific discovery and success The onomatopoeic phrase this may represent the danger that coincided with his desire for success and perhaps His naivety
The sibilance between hiss and seductive is a common feature of poetry creating a sense of intimacy in his description which is on conventional in diary writing
The sibilance of this onomatopoeia phrase is the antithesis of the plosive phrase crunch within the semantic field of violation and destruction This betrays the conflict between inside and the outside of his tent during his description impressions as crunch is quite a harsh phonological sound whereas sibilance of hiss is more gentle
The hyper bowl of progressive verb penetrating in semantic field of violation AND destruction portrays the ongoing nature of the conditions and perhaps over exaggerated effect this has on expedition
Purpose, audience and mode
PURPOSE- to mark a major scientific event with the intention of recording findings
To capture the prosperity and relentless valour of himself and his team
To illustrate the immensity of his emotions and demanding nature of his expedition perhaps with the understanding that he would not make it.
AUDIENCE- originally for himself but as conditions worsened hoped/knew that his diary would be found (can see this from change in perspective/turning point)
FORMAT- diary follows conventions= chronological ordering of dates, predominantly first person, dominated by past tense, explicit information shared
Diary doesn’t follow conventions= no titles of location, areas of a far too formal register highly planned beginning section almost poetic
Sentence structure
Use of declarative sentences: “at night he was worse and we knew the end had come”
declarative= no doubt /being explicit
euphemistic lexis “the end” restraining from graphic detail- connotes finality without using harsh language- euphemistic language common in this time war like language
Past tense verb “knew” = brutal realism
Comparative adjective “worse”= progression without sign of recovery
Elliptical sentences- “Lunch.” Physical deterioration but still a dedication to his diary knowledge it will be found so attempting to appear noble for continuing.
Embedded clauses- “the others are still confident of getting through- or pretend to be-…”
Creates space between the mental conditions of the men and the illusion of the proud Victorian gentleman. Illustrates the transparency of the facade in this condition and the difficulty to keep “pretending”
Dominated by complex sentences but this is broken for “this was the end.” Sinister tone
Demonstrative “this” = turning point - loss of hope
What’s it about
The expedition to the South Pole a scientific diary recording findings transitions to an emotionally provoking and almost poetic account of Scott’s last days alive- written in extremis
“The small green tent and the great white road” antithesis “small” and “great” within expanded noun phrase= starting to explore the danger of his situation by contrasting it to the feelings of comfort provided by the tent. Readers may find relatability in this part within the imagery created of the tent- becomes less and less universally relatable. Connotations of “white” = surrender eventually all team members become surrendered to the danger of the “great” outside
Anaphora of the definite article “the” while detailing the atmosphere= discourse marker for the growing intensity of his description.
Perspective
Dominated by first person “we” - wants to credit all team mates for the bravery and valour that they have demonstrated
Possessive pronouns “our” and “my”
“I” only used to describe physical condition or internal thoughts - makes it clear his only deprecation is of himself holds great pride of his team does not represent them poorly
Tense changes throughout entries - doesn’t write completely continuously so has to update on past events- unawareness of time and place disconnection from the world “March 16th or Saturday 17th” commitment to his diary- increasing awareness it will be read
An almost performative perspective of a brave Victorian gentleman “I take this opportunity is saying that we have stuck our sick companions to the last” overly formal register almost mirroring a eulogy or war like announcement.
