This American Life- Three Miles

Question 1

PAF context of production and reception

Answer 1

Purpose- to discuss her disillusionment with the high school system and how it has lead her to the life she now lives
To illustrate her anger at the perception of high school in the media and how unrealistic it was for her
To point out the privilege that those of a higher class receive
Audience- regular listeners of walts radio doc, who are interested in extraordinary stories of everyday life. perhaps made to national news / clipped on further wider platforms
Mode- spoken- interviewer planned questions melenaie spontaneous

Interviewer may have made her feel comfortable to expose her truth and feelings on the matter took convincing ti come onto radio doc process of trying to convince was recorded

Question 2

Tone

Answer 2

Tone of harsh realism “everything kind of is like a fucking lie”
Use of taboo language is unconventional for a radio guest usually briefed about appropriate language communicates her frustration not trying to be polite
Plosive- sound is harsh reflecting the harsh nature of her realisation that high school wasn’t how it was built up to be.
Present tense verb “is” continues to affect every aspect of her life
Fractured syntax- lost composure reflecting her resentment for the “lies” she has been fed
InDefinite article a= one od the many lies

Question 3

Lexis

Answer 3

Colloquial/ idiolect of ordinary Americans
“Ratchet - ass girl from the hood” - knowledge that ordinary Americans would understand this level of language used to provoke thought- compared herself to the privileged kids language used commonly ti discriminate kids of colour

Question 4

Perspective

Answer 4

First person past tense- telling a story, the personal nature of the story makes the entirety of it more powerful and specific
Walt edits in features that place listeners into the perspective of Melanie “Melanie has considered you a lot - who you are, how you’ll hear her.” - direct address personal to readers, use of second person “her” highly skilled interviewer knowledgable of melanies feelings from interpretation
Perspective of Melanie - highly frustrated with the education system a disappointed child into a disillusioned adult
“Like, this has got to be a joke.” Imperative “has got to” doesn’t believe in any alternative explanation
“Like” informal feature of speech
“A joke” metaphorical representing the extent to which her expectations did not align with real life.