“MID WINTER”
“MID WINTER”
- “MID” - Prefix with the compound noun ‘midwinter’ presents the situation as inescapable.
- “WINTER” - Foreshadows the emotional coldness of the characters; the bleakness of the narrative to follow; themes of death/decay.
- It is a structural technique that places an emphasis on the harshness of the geographical environment
It is written in a 3rd person narrative voice. What is the effect of this?
- There is repeated use in the story of the third person.
- “the count and his wife” - the pronouns he/she are detached in their tone and allows its message to be absorbed and not tainted by its character bias.
The story switches between past and present tense throughout. What is the effect of this?
- It becomes unsettling.
- It keeps the reader emotionally distanced as it is detached in its tone.
- Past tense = creates a fairytale like tone.
- “Once upon a time” type narrative
- The use of the present roots it in modern day. - perhaps it suggests that the story’s themes and ideas remain timeless.
The fourth paragraph is only one sentence long. Why might this be?
- It stresses the brevity of the snow child’s life/innocence.
- It keeps the reader emotionally detached.
- It emphasises its supernatural nature.
- It is seemingly unbelievable as she dies as quick as she was created.
What sentence mood is the majority of the story written in and what is the effect?
- It is written in a declarative sentence mood - it is detached and the story appears to be in a 3rd person removed narrative.
- It makes a statement on society.
- The aspect of Fairytale vs Reality highlights this.
- The countess is aggressive and controlling for the most part, but is seen to be nonchalant when “the count got off his horse, unfastened his breeches and thrust his virile member into the dead girl”
What sentence mood does the countess address the snow child with? What does this show about their relationship?
- The imperative sentence mood emphasises the female rivalry between the countess and the snow child.
- It also expresses the hatred the countess has for the child. E.g “Pick me one” “told the girl to get down and look for it”
What is the significance of the syndetic list “white skin, red mouth, black hair and stark naked”?
- “White skin” - the adjective white has connotations of innocence, purity, naivety. The whiteness of her skin will also make her features appear as though they are more prominent.
- “Red mouth” - a child of his sexual desires - seductiveness.
- “Black hair” - ravens feather. A lack of light - connotes hopelessness. In literature a raven is seen as a harbinger of death.
- “Stark naked” - Her appearance exists solely as a series of body parts to the count. The countess also sees her as that as opposed to her adopted child. The count’s connection is more sexual than paternal. This demonstrates her vulnerability as she is seen as the damsel in distress in this story.
What is the significance of the determiners in “The count and his wife”?
- It reinforces a sense of importance, for he is apart of the aristocracy.
- The countess also appears to be nothing but an appendage to the count.
- As well as an attachment to both his title and status.
What is the symbolic significance of the snow child being born from white snow?
- The reminder that snow is transcient as she melts away.
- The short lived nature of innocence and purity.
What is the symbolic significance of the Countess’ furs and boots?
- The count’s desire and affection - linking to material actions.
- These seem to be bestowed upon her until the affection stops and is transferred to the snow child.
What is the symbolism of the Countess’ clothes and the Snow Child’s nakedness?
- Countess’ clothes symbolise the count’s affection and desire that comes and goes continously.
- It is compart of the older woman supported by the male figure and his material things.
- The naked snow child suggests innocence and vulnerability.
- This switches around during the story.
What are the connotations of the colours “white”, “red” and “black” and what is the significance of their order?
- “White” - angelic, innocence, purity, hope, snow.
- “red” - hell, blood, anarchy, pain, violence.
- as well as sexual connotations - lust, sexuality, menstruation/puberty.
- “black” - sickness, evil, night, darkness.
- The order is significant because… they gradually get darker and this symbolises the snow child getting less innocent as it goes on. Linking to the death of innocence and purity.
- As well as the phenomenon of “coming of age”, not just through puberty or menstruation but through someone’s desire.
How is the count presented through his desires? Think in detail about the language used in his similes.
- “white as snow” - his perverted, paedophillic tendencies.
- “red as blood” - his violence towards the snow child. - desires.
- black as that bird’s feather” - the darkness within him - linking to death and foreshadowing that notion within him.
What is the impact of the absense of adjectives and adverbs in paragraph four?
- raw, quick. - symbolises the power of the patriarchy on that figure.
- This emphasises the shock factor this gives us as there appears to be no emotion from the either of them.
- The Snow Child is more symbolic for what she stands for.
What is the effect of the plosive alliteration in the simile “bare as a bone”?
- It shows her vulnerability.
- It appears to be at a supernatural speed.
- Symbolises the patriarchal society.
What is the symbolism of the rose and its thorns which kills the snow child and pricks the Countess?
- Rose = passion and romance, it contrasts with the count’s desires/actions.
- Thorn = phallic imagery - the pain caused by it.
- The Snow Child - so young and pure.
- The countess = more aware of the world so doesn’t die, she just has to deal with it - therefore she appears as a passive figure.
What is the relevance of the snow child’s remains?
- “futile” - only existed for the count’s objectification.
- accidental
- cyclical structure.
What might the snow child’s death symbolise?
- The death of innocence and purity in society as a whole.
- passive figure - countess.
- we are bystanders as we are aware that this happens but we don’t do anything about it.
