THE EXPLORERS DAUGHTER Flashcards
glittering kingdom’
presents it as a magical, fantasy place because the creatures are so unique
Metaphor which highlights the magical and majestic qualities of nature. This is reinforced by the reference to her taking a “sharp intake of breath” which conveys her sense of awe
‘it was crucial to her that her husband catch a narwhal’
creates suspence
emphesises fear/nervousness
‘it was like watching a vast, waterborne game’
simile
creates image in the readers mind
helps to picture the situation
‘and they talk to one another under the water’
as she personifies them, she starts to feel sympathy and is presented with a dilema
‘to die, to leave, to survive’
tri-colon
‘they use every part of the animal they kill’
‘hunting is still an absolute necessity in thule’
shows the other side of the dilemma and emphasises that despite contrary beliefs, the hunters in thule do not kill for fun, they do it because they have to.
How does Herbert help the reader to understand/vividly imagine the life of the hunters and nawhals? Para 1
n the opening paragraph she uses figurative language to convey the majesty and wonder of nature. She presents a very romanticised vision of her childhood home this immediately establishes a respect for the narwhal and their surroundings
- “glittering kingdom”
- “butter gold” “glinting” “mischievous tricks of the shifting light” “wondering if the narwhal existed at all
- “plumes of spray.. spectral colour” “soft billows of smoke
- “slowly, methodically passing each other by”
- “butter gold” “glinting” “mischievous tricks of the shifting light” “wondering if the narwhal existed at all
The semantic field of light develop the sense that environment of has a magical quality and this device also reinforces the beauty of nature.
“Butter gold “is another example of a metaphor and it is also sensory description and therefore helps the reader to have a vivid image.
The semantic field of light also give the dream like quality to the passage and the narwhals themselves. Herbit presents them and their environment as being so special and mysterious that they seem like something from another world
-“plumes of spray.. spectral colour” “soft billows of smoke
The narwhal is consistently compare to images of elegance and beauty this is reinforced by the soft sibilance and soft vowel sounds
slowly, methodically passing each other by”
Herbert personifies the narwhals and gives them human traits such as intelligence and purpose (as evidenced by the reference to them being ‘methodical’)
She also uses personifcation later in the passage when she describes them ‘talking’ to each other. This again has the effect of demonstrating Herbert’s respect for the narwhal and her sympathy for them
How does Herbert help the reader to understand/vividly imagine the life of the hunters and nawhals? Para 2
Shift to journalistic tone. Language becomes more literal uses jargon to demonstrated her knowledge and establish her credibility as a writer on the subject.
‘Mattak’ ‘tupilak’
‘Only source of light and heat’
‘Rich source of vitamin c
Mattel tupilak
Use of jargon demonstrates in depth knowledge of lives of hunters and the importance of the nawhals
The use of brackets also allows Herbert to define her terms and provide further explanantory info. This helps to inform the reader.
Only source of light and heat’
The word, only, suggests that there was simply no other source available and this is effective in justifying the hunting of the nawhals and helps to create a balanced account
Rich source of vitamin c’
Shows how blubber was not just a source of food but also was the only was eskimos could survive without being wiped out by scurvy and busmen deifiency
How does Herbert help the reader to understand/vividly imagine the life of the hunters and nawhals? Para 3
Conflicted identity.
Herbert’s shift between journalistic and romantic tones in the passage reflects the conflicted identity that she has.
‘Explorers daughter
My heart leapt for both hunter and narwhal
How can you possibly eat deal
Hunting is still an abdslotue necesito in Thule
