The most dangerous drug isn't meow meow. It isn't even alcohol ...
Newspapers are the biggest threat to the nation's mental wellbeing
I'm a lightweight; always have been. I didn't get properly drunk until I was 25, on a night out which culminated in a spectacular public vomiting in a Chinese restaurant. Ever wondered what the clatter of 60 pairs of chopsticks being simultaneously dropped in disgust might sound like? Don't ask me. I can't remember. I was too busy bitterly coughing what remained of my guts all over the carpet.
Not a big drinker, then. Like virtually every other member of my generation, I smoked dope throughout my early 20s. It prevented me from getting bored, but also prevented me from achieving much. When you're content to blow an entire fortnight basking on your sofa like a woozy sea lion, playing Super Bomberman, eating Minstrels and sniggering at Alastair Stewart's bombastic voiceover on Police Camera Action! there's not much impetus to push yourself. Marijuana detaches you from the world, like a big pause button. That was the worst thing about being stoned: there came an inevitable point every evening where you'd find yourself shuffling around a massively overlit local convenience store feeling alien and jittery or watching episodes of friends that seem to last nine hours rather than the bearable twenty minutes . No thanks.
These days I'm sickeningly lily-livered, by choice rather than necessity. I don't smoke, I drink only occasionally, and I'd sooner saw my own feet off than touch anything harder than a double espresso. I don't want to get out of my head: that's where I live.
In summary: if I've learned anything, it's that I don't much care for mood-altering substances. But I'm not afraid of them either. With one exception.
It's perhaps the biggest threat to the nation's mental wellbeing, yet it's freely available on every street – for pennies. The dealers claim it expands the mind and bolsters the intellect: users experience an initial rush of emotion (often euphoria or rage), followed by what they believe is a state of enhanced awareness. Tragically this "awareness" is a delusion. As they grow increasingly detached from reality, heavy users often exhibit impaired decision-making abilities, becoming paranoid, agitated and quick to anger. In extreme cases they've even been known to form mobs and attack people. Technically it's called "a newspaper", although it's better known by one of its many "street names", such as "The Currant Bun" or "The Mail" or "The Guardian".
In its purest form, a newspaper consists of a collection of facts which, in controlled circumstances, can actively improve knowledge. Unfortunately, facts are expensive, so to save costs and drive up sales, unscrupulous dealers often "cut" the basic contents with cheaper material, such as wild opinion, empty hysteria, reheated press releases, advertorial padding and photographs of Lady Gaga with her bum hanging out. The hapless user has little or no concept of the toxicity of the end product: they digest the contents in good faith, only to pay the price later when they find themselves raging incoherently in pubs, or – increasingly – on internet messageboards.
Tragically, widespread newspaper abuse has become so endemic, it has crippled the country's ability to conduct a sensible debate about the "war on drugs". The current screaming festival over "meow meow" or "M-Cat" or whatever else the actual users aren't calling it, is a textbook example. I have no idea how dangerous it is, but there seems to be a glaring lack of correlation between the threat it reportedly poses and the huge number of schoolkids reportedly taking it. Something doesn't add up. But we're treated to an hysterical campaign for a substance that will presumably – thanks to this – soon only be available via illegal, unregulated, more dangerous, means. If I was 15 years old, I wouldn't be typing this right now. I'd be trying to buy "plant food" on the internet. And this time next year I'd be buying it in a pub toilet, cut with worming pills and costing four times as much.
Personally speaking, the worst substances I've ever encountered are nicotine and alcohol. Apart from the odd fond memory, the only good thing either really have going for them is their legality. If either had been outlawed I'd probably have drunk myself blind on cheap illegal moonshine or knifed you and your family in the eye to fund my cigarette habit.
But then I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to narcotics. Like I said, I'm a lightweight. I can absolutely guarantee my experience of drugs is far more limited than that of the average journalist: immeasurably so once you factor in alcohol. So presumably they know what they're talking about. It's hard to shake the notion half the users aren't trying to "escape the boredom of their lives": just praying for a brief holiday from society's unrelenting rubbish.
What are Charlie Brooker’s views on media hysteria and how does he persuade his audience to share them?
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Non-Fiction and Media Paper Advice
Non-Fiction and Media Paper
1 hour 45 minutes
3 questions (=35 mins per question)
Question 1: putting aspects of a text into your own words
1. Read the question and underline the aspects they’re asking you to focus on (e.g. pleasant aspects, unpleasant aspects)
2. Number these aspects (1= pleasant aspects, 2=unpleasant aspects)
3. Read the passage and underline relevant parts and put a number in the margin saying which of the aspects it’s relevant to
4. Start writing. Go through all the 1s then all the 2s etc.
5. DO NOT QUOTE; USE YOUR OWN WORDS; LINK RELATED POINTS
Question 2: analysing a text
1. Read the question and underline the key aspects they’re asking you to focus on (e.g. language, detail and humour).
2. Number these aspects (1=language, 2=detail, 3=humour)
6. Read the passage and underline relevant parts and put a number in the margin saying which of the aspects it’s relevant to
3. Start writing. Go through all the 1s then all the 2s etc.
4. Use POINT-QUOTE-COMMENT e.g. The writer uses language to give a negative impression of other people who ‘patronised’ him [point]. He refers to one as a ‘crone’ [quote], which contrasts with his earlier description of her as ‘a well-meaning soul’ and is a result of this ‘crone’ appearing frightening to Susie [analysis].
Question 3: writing to inform, explain, describe
1. Read the question carefully. What is the purpose and who is the audience?
2. Plan your answer carefully: what are your main points, what examples are you going to use, what order are you going to put these points, how are you going to start, how are you going to finish.
3. Start writing very carefully. Remember the following:
Paragraphs
Sentence variety (a mixture of simple, compound, complex)
Imaginative vocabulary
A range of punctuation (including semi-colons)
4. Watch your time. Allow enough time at the end to finish and check through your work for mistakes. It’s better to correct what you’ve written than to write more.
1 hour 45 minutes
3 questions (=35 mins per question)
Question 1: putting aspects of a text into your own words
1. Read the question and underline the aspects they’re asking you to focus on (e.g. pleasant aspects, unpleasant aspects)
2. Number these aspects (1= pleasant aspects, 2=unpleasant aspects)
3. Read the passage and underline relevant parts and put a number in the margin saying which of the aspects it’s relevant to
4. Start writing. Go through all the 1s then all the 2s etc.
5. DO NOT QUOTE; USE YOUR OWN WORDS; LINK RELATED POINTS
Question 2: analysing a text
1. Read the question and underline the key aspects they’re asking you to focus on (e.g. language, detail and humour).
2. Number these aspects (1=language, 2=detail, 3=humour)
6. Read the passage and underline relevant parts and put a number in the margin saying which of the aspects it’s relevant to
3. Start writing. Go through all the 1s then all the 2s etc.
4. Use POINT-QUOTE-COMMENT e.g. The writer uses language to give a negative impression of other people who ‘patronised’ him [point]. He refers to one as a ‘crone’ [quote], which contrasts with his earlier description of her as ‘a well-meaning soul’ and is a result of this ‘crone’ appearing frightening to Susie [analysis].
Question 3: writing to inform, explain, describe
1. Read the question carefully. What is the purpose and who is the audience?
2. Plan your answer carefully: what are your main points, what examples are you going to use, what order are you going to put these points, how are you going to start, how are you going to finish.
3. Start writing very carefully. Remember the following:
Paragraphs
Sentence variety (a mixture of simple, compound, complex)
Imaginative vocabulary
A range of punctuation (including semi-colons)
4. Watch your time. Allow enough time at the end to finish and check through your work for mistakes. It’s better to correct what you’ve written than to write more.
Empire of the Sun Plot Summary
Chapter Title Key Events Jim Jim/Parents Jim/Chinese Jim/Basie Jim/MrMaxted Jim/Dr Ransome Jim/Japanese
PART ONE
1 The Eve of Pearl Harbour Coffins, Sunday service, newsreels, war, changing for the party, Vera Bridge, understanding of war, amazement at the idea of living in one room Father - "I'll kill you" Amah - "I'll kill you"
2 Beggars and Acrobats Front gate, beggars, refugees and police, toy planes, party at Dr Lockwood's, drained swimming pool Cantonese acrobats and weeding women Mr Maxted (description) and the swimming pool Jim's attraction to the Japanese
3 The Abandoned Aerodrome Burial mound, plane wreck, old battle ground, Japanese platoon, finders keepers, tyre tread on the beggar's foot, move to the hotel, hunchbacks Guilt at putting his father in danger, sorrow for the beggar, enjoyment of the Shanghai streets Jim dreams of being a Japanese pilot
4 The Attack on the Petrel Paper flowers, watching the harbour, signal lamps, attack on the Petrel, leaving the hotel, Japanese tank, wounded sailors, "get out of the car!", yellow silk glove, bayonets in the sun. Thinks he may have started the war Father and Jim try to rescue the petty officer - separated from his mother
5 Escape from the Hospital Children's ward, Japanese aircraft, Japanese victory, evacuation of the prisoners Father taken to military prison Plane spotting with the guard
6 The Youth with the Knife Public executions, Jim attacked for his watch, home is empty, in through the rubbish chute, footprints, the smashed mirror Image of a small exploding boy Looks to the Japanese for protection
7 The Drained Swimming-Pool Waiting, playing games, food, sinister drained swimming pool, cycling to the Raymonds', the Maxteds' apartment, Mr Guerevitch, knocked off his bicycle Slapped by the Raymonds' amah
8 Picnic Time Living at the Maxteds', repairing the bicycle, changes on the streets, breaking into the Belgian dentist's house Getting thinner
9 An End to Kindness Scavenging, sick and thin, the Japanese patrol, thrown out, kindness counts for nothing The strange face in a strange mirror Begs fish and rice from the Japanese patrol
10 The Stranded Freighter The funeral pier, following the truck, losing the bicycle, paddling out to the sunken freighter, the American Starving - down to his last liqueur chocolates
11 Frank and Basie Appraisal, teeth, new name for a new life, food, new words, Basie controlling Frank, corpses and gold teeth Jamie becomes Jim Basie (descriptions)
12 Dance Music Trading, stories about his parents, exploring the suburbs, planning to dump Jim, capture Doubling of identity - mirror self (coping strategy) Feels sorry for the destitute Chinese Basie (descriptions)
13 The Open-Air Cinema Mr and Mrs Partridge, hostiliity to the Eurasian women, avoiding mirrors, condition of newly-arrived prisoners, real purpose of the detention centre, Basie's mess tin
14 American Aircraft American planes, caring for Basie, making himself useful, only drinking rice water, no self-sacrifice about food, collecting the rations of the dead, no guilt Never looked after anything except an angora rabbit which died Basie teaches Jim to make himself useful and to bow to Sgt Uchida
15 On their Way to the Camps Evacuation of healthier prisoners, Basie leaves Jim, knowing the way to Woosung
16 The Water Ration Chapei, getting lost, talk of aeroplanes, the railway line, Jim begs for water Beginning to enjoy the war No resentment at Basie's deserting Jim for the other boys Dr Ransome, undefeated Englishman (description). Disapproval of Jim. Ironically protected by Japanese in area where he would have been killed. Feels closer to the Japanese because of his willingness to take risks.
17 The Landscape of Airfields Conversation with Dr R, man-flying kites, fighter base, the unbuilt camp, sweet-potatoes, constellations Dr Ransome (description) - Jim suspicious of him Imagines he will join the Japanese air force
18 Vagrants The pontoon bridge, worsening condition of the prisoners, turned away from the internment camp by the British leaders Enjoys the war, imagines he's the leader of the group, feels closer to the conditions of the war than his old home Sad that his search for them is nearly over. Then feels they may be in the camp and rejecting him - no longer cares Dr R's wounds get worse Better relationship with the driver
19 The Runway Brewster Buffaloes, Lunghua airfield, emaciated Chinese, the runway, dust, the execution pit, the embrace of death Knows that he is going to be worked to death Hopes his parents are dead Smart Japanese soldiers like the Europeans
PART TWO
20 Lunghua Camp Pheasant trap, kendo, outside the camp, turtle, golf shoes, description of the camp, collaboration/patriotism, a game of marbles Feels uncomfortable outside the wire. Stronger than many of the men. Poor opinion of the English. Forgotten what his parents' faces. Envies other children their parents. B exposes J to danger by making him go to check the trap. J feels it is important to keep with B because of food Private Kimura - some sympathy, but would like to challenge him. Has given him English lessons.
21 The Cubicle Mr Maxted fetches the food ration, the Vincents, J's beggarly cubicle, Mrs V's "films", pictures on his wall, air raids, execution of escapees, camp as place of security, relationship with Mrs V Attraction to Mrs V
22 The University of Life Changes in Mr M, J and Mr M's partnership, waiting for the food ration, beggars inside and outside the camp, memories of concerts, lectures and school, food shortages, stealing a second sweet potato, weevils, sexuality Parents in Soochow camp, J is worried they will have changed B does not allow J to listen to his radio
23 The Air Raid The ruined assembly hall, derelict aircraft, the runway, kamikaze pilots, schoolwork, air raid, Mustangs, deaths of the pilots (one burns in his plane), the sun scorching the earth Knows that he is worth nothing, enjoyment of the war Uneasy relationship, Dr R has wasted away giving food to J, Admiration for the kamikaze pilots
24 The Hospital Dr Ransome, breaking of windows, bravery, hospital, stealing from the dead, Sgt Nagata, "difficult boy", roll call, fantasies and violent light Sgt Nagata - knows J is involved with illicit activities but can't catch him.
25 The Cemetery Garden Fertilizing the garden, the last kamikaze, burying Mr Radik, graves, souls and death, Latin and the trigonometry of war, the problem of food and survival, tomatoes and condoms Ambiguity about whether J wants the war to end J lies about remembering his parents J has to give B something every time he sees him J reminds Dr R of how people can adapt to the war. Dr R's background and ambiguity
26 The Lunghua Sophomores Amateur dramatics and rugby, the American dorm and Basie's cubicle, news, words, pheasant traps as a decoy, condoms, another sweet potato, optimism, arrival of the food ration Knows that he is being used by the Americans B's limitations - the petty thief. B is obviously using J but is also capable of some generosity.
27 The Execution Food ration halved, excitement over B-29s, boiling drinking and laundry water, magazines, beating to death of the Chinese rickshaw coolie, confrontation with Mr Vincent over the turtle Running errands stops J thinking about what would happen if the war were to end B teases J over his enthusiasm for American magazines Japanese contempt for the Chinese and the British for not intervening to rescue the coolie
28 An Escape Japanese prepare to leave, rumours of the end of the war, continuous air raids, food supplies fail, escape of Basie and two others. Return of the gendarmerie (security troops), probability of the prisoners being killed, packing for the march to Nantao, bantering with Mrs Vincent; "rememeber you're British". J and Mr M are among the few who have not stockpiled sweet potatoes. In the face of death, all Mr M can do is to remind J that he is British. J wonders whether will Mr M will stand the march and whether he would better ingratiating himself with Mrs V
29 The March to Nantao Exhaustion before they start, difficulty getting used to being outside the camp, the problem of Mr Maxted, trying to stay at the head of the column, the polluted canal, Mrs Philips looks for God and gives him her sweet potato, light and death, Japanese assess the prisoners who cannot move, belongings dropped on the road J realises that they are being taken up-country to be killed. He almost does not join the column when they move on. He holds onto his possessions with renewed determination to survive. J realises Mr M needs his help to cope with the march but realises this will compromise his own chances. Mr M encourages J to rejoin the column, thus saving his life.
30 The Olympic Stadium Encouraging Mr Maxted to keep going, the docks at Nantao, J pushes his suitcase out onto the water "like the coffin of a Chinese child", destruction of their transport ship, the stadium, sleeping beside Mr M dreaming of death and runways The disposal of the case is J's symbolic farewell to the life he has led in Lunghua - "a sentimental but pointless gesture, his first adult act." Still with Mr M, J regrets dumping his possessions because it leaves him nothing to barter
31 The Empire of the Sun American cars and looted possessions, J decided to stay with Mr M, fetching water. The light of a second sun (the atomic bomb) - a premonition of his own death. He stays while the remaining living prisoners are marched away and is robbed of his shoes. J realizes that they are being marched to death. He reverts to being called by his childhood name, "Jamie". J cares for Mr M and fetches water for him and some others, including Mrs V - "having someone to care for was the same as being cared for by someone else."
PART THREE
32 The Eurasian Hail from the wings of aircraft, the Japanese have left during the night, the Eurasian collaborator tells J about the atom bombs, golf shoes, leaving the stadium, light and death J feels as if he and the whole world are dead Mr M dies but J stays by the body for several days
33 The Kamikaze Pilot Walking back to Lunghua, a derelict Zero, the starving schoolboy pilot, the mango The young pilot gives J a mango
34 The Refrigerator in the Sky Dreams of learning to fly, parachutes, food, shooting of Pte. Kimura, Spam, Klim, Reader's Digest J fantasizes about making friends with the pilot but death of Kimura very matter of factly described
35 Lieutenant Price Whether to go home or not, communist soldiers, an American aviator, return to Lunghua, Mr Tulloch the Packard mechanic, Lt. Price, another drop, the guardhouse, dead Japanese soldier in his own cell, Price's mania Exclusion of the Chinese from the relief drops
36 The Flies Back in his room, scent of Mrs Vincent, missing people, bodies in the hospital and flies, Spam like corpses, the Japanese pilot J sees himself from Mrs V's point of view: some understanding of her Memories of another Japanese pilot
37 A Reserved Room Careless drops, neither war nor peace, magazines describing a distant war, growing strength, prisoners with Chinese wives return to prison so they can be free, the next war J feels that the war is both familiar and strange to him J wants to prepare a room for his parents
38 The Road to Shanghai Price's driving, the stadium, Tulloch killed, captured by bandits, Basie B seems to lack interest in J, is prepared to allow him to be killed
39 The Bandits The bandit gang, Capt. Soong, raiding villages, this war/the next war, words, dreams of appearing in Life magazine, the Japanese pilot, the communist village, an Nationalist armoured junk shells the village, exploding ammunition, American cruiser Soong is prepared to use J "as a dog to be worked to death" and a decoy. Change in the Chinese attitude to Europeans B the survivor because he does not dream and does not take anything for granted; us untouched by the war; expects nothing; and is therefore dangerous Dr R probably dead on the march J distracts B from shooting the Japanese pilot
40 The Fallen Airment Nationalist v Communist battles, Basie goes to raid the stadium, back to the airfield, feeding the fish, body of the young Japanese pilot The remnants of the gang avoid the armed refugees J does not tell B that the stadium has probably already been looted. B leaves him with the car to decoy the attention of Chinese militiamen
41 Rescue Mission Despair, all as good as dead, bringing the corpse to life like Dr R, the resurrection of the dead, Dr Ransome, end of the war Reunion with Dr R in the camp hospital The pilot is J's "twin" and symbol of his hopes of escape
PART FOUR
42 The Terrible City The bustle of the city, newsreels and Nationalist propaganda, films, Yang the chauffeur, unreality of home, return to Lunghua, shiny American planes, destruction of graveyard and hospital, World War III, memory of reunion with parents, urinating sailors, China's revenge, a child's coffin J is leaving for a country he does not know - part of his mind will always be in Shanghai Distance between J and his parents when they are reunited J understands what the Chinese are thinking as they are insulted by the sailors
PART ONE
1 The Eve of Pearl Harbour Coffins, Sunday service, newsreels, war, changing for the party, Vera Bridge, understanding of war, amazement at the idea of living in one room Father - "I'll kill you" Amah - "I'll kill you"
2 Beggars and Acrobats Front gate, beggars, refugees and police, toy planes, party at Dr Lockwood's, drained swimming pool Cantonese acrobats and weeding women Mr Maxted (description) and the swimming pool Jim's attraction to the Japanese
3 The Abandoned Aerodrome Burial mound, plane wreck, old battle ground, Japanese platoon, finders keepers, tyre tread on the beggar's foot, move to the hotel, hunchbacks Guilt at putting his father in danger, sorrow for the beggar, enjoyment of the Shanghai streets Jim dreams of being a Japanese pilot
4 The Attack on the Petrel Paper flowers, watching the harbour, signal lamps, attack on the Petrel, leaving the hotel, Japanese tank, wounded sailors, "get out of the car!", yellow silk glove, bayonets in the sun. Thinks he may have started the war Father and Jim try to rescue the petty officer - separated from his mother
5 Escape from the Hospital Children's ward, Japanese aircraft, Japanese victory, evacuation of the prisoners Father taken to military prison Plane spotting with the guard
6 The Youth with the Knife Public executions, Jim attacked for his watch, home is empty, in through the rubbish chute, footprints, the smashed mirror Image of a small exploding boy Looks to the Japanese for protection
7 The Drained Swimming-Pool Waiting, playing games, food, sinister drained swimming pool, cycling to the Raymonds', the Maxteds' apartment, Mr Guerevitch, knocked off his bicycle Slapped by the Raymonds' amah
8 Picnic Time Living at the Maxteds', repairing the bicycle, changes on the streets, breaking into the Belgian dentist's house Getting thinner
9 An End to Kindness Scavenging, sick and thin, the Japanese patrol, thrown out, kindness counts for nothing The strange face in a strange mirror Begs fish and rice from the Japanese patrol
10 The Stranded Freighter The funeral pier, following the truck, losing the bicycle, paddling out to the sunken freighter, the American Starving - down to his last liqueur chocolates
11 Frank and Basie Appraisal, teeth, new name for a new life, food, new words, Basie controlling Frank, corpses and gold teeth Jamie becomes Jim Basie (descriptions)
12 Dance Music Trading, stories about his parents, exploring the suburbs, planning to dump Jim, capture Doubling of identity - mirror self (coping strategy) Feels sorry for the destitute Chinese Basie (descriptions)
13 The Open-Air Cinema Mr and Mrs Partridge, hostiliity to the Eurasian women, avoiding mirrors, condition of newly-arrived prisoners, real purpose of the detention centre, Basie's mess tin
14 American Aircraft American planes, caring for Basie, making himself useful, only drinking rice water, no self-sacrifice about food, collecting the rations of the dead, no guilt Never looked after anything except an angora rabbit which died Basie teaches Jim to make himself useful and to bow to Sgt Uchida
15 On their Way to the Camps Evacuation of healthier prisoners, Basie leaves Jim, knowing the way to Woosung
16 The Water Ration Chapei, getting lost, talk of aeroplanes, the railway line, Jim begs for water Beginning to enjoy the war No resentment at Basie's deserting Jim for the other boys Dr Ransome, undefeated Englishman (description). Disapproval of Jim. Ironically protected by Japanese in area where he would have been killed. Feels closer to the Japanese because of his willingness to take risks.
17 The Landscape of Airfields Conversation with Dr R, man-flying kites, fighter base, the unbuilt camp, sweet-potatoes, constellations Dr Ransome (description) - Jim suspicious of him Imagines he will join the Japanese air force
18 Vagrants The pontoon bridge, worsening condition of the prisoners, turned away from the internment camp by the British leaders Enjoys the war, imagines he's the leader of the group, feels closer to the conditions of the war than his old home Sad that his search for them is nearly over. Then feels they may be in the camp and rejecting him - no longer cares Dr R's wounds get worse Better relationship with the driver
19 The Runway Brewster Buffaloes, Lunghua airfield, emaciated Chinese, the runway, dust, the execution pit, the embrace of death Knows that he is going to be worked to death Hopes his parents are dead Smart Japanese soldiers like the Europeans
PART TWO
20 Lunghua Camp Pheasant trap, kendo, outside the camp, turtle, golf shoes, description of the camp, collaboration/patriotism, a game of marbles Feels uncomfortable outside the wire. Stronger than many of the men. Poor opinion of the English. Forgotten what his parents' faces. Envies other children their parents. B exposes J to danger by making him go to check the trap. J feels it is important to keep with B because of food Private Kimura - some sympathy, but would like to challenge him. Has given him English lessons.
21 The Cubicle Mr Maxted fetches the food ration, the Vincents, J's beggarly cubicle, Mrs V's "films", pictures on his wall, air raids, execution of escapees, camp as place of security, relationship with Mrs V Attraction to Mrs V
22 The University of Life Changes in Mr M, J and Mr M's partnership, waiting for the food ration, beggars inside and outside the camp, memories of concerts, lectures and school, food shortages, stealing a second sweet potato, weevils, sexuality Parents in Soochow camp, J is worried they will have changed B does not allow J to listen to his radio
23 The Air Raid The ruined assembly hall, derelict aircraft, the runway, kamikaze pilots, schoolwork, air raid, Mustangs, deaths of the pilots (one burns in his plane), the sun scorching the earth Knows that he is worth nothing, enjoyment of the war Uneasy relationship, Dr R has wasted away giving food to J, Admiration for the kamikaze pilots
24 The Hospital Dr Ransome, breaking of windows, bravery, hospital, stealing from the dead, Sgt Nagata, "difficult boy", roll call, fantasies and violent light Sgt Nagata - knows J is involved with illicit activities but can't catch him.
25 The Cemetery Garden Fertilizing the garden, the last kamikaze, burying Mr Radik, graves, souls and death, Latin and the trigonometry of war, the problem of food and survival, tomatoes and condoms Ambiguity about whether J wants the war to end J lies about remembering his parents J has to give B something every time he sees him J reminds Dr R of how people can adapt to the war. Dr R's background and ambiguity
26 The Lunghua Sophomores Amateur dramatics and rugby, the American dorm and Basie's cubicle, news, words, pheasant traps as a decoy, condoms, another sweet potato, optimism, arrival of the food ration Knows that he is being used by the Americans B's limitations - the petty thief. B is obviously using J but is also capable of some generosity.
27 The Execution Food ration halved, excitement over B-29s, boiling drinking and laundry water, magazines, beating to death of the Chinese rickshaw coolie, confrontation with Mr Vincent over the turtle Running errands stops J thinking about what would happen if the war were to end B teases J over his enthusiasm for American magazines Japanese contempt for the Chinese and the British for not intervening to rescue the coolie
28 An Escape Japanese prepare to leave, rumours of the end of the war, continuous air raids, food supplies fail, escape of Basie and two others. Return of the gendarmerie (security troops), probability of the prisoners being killed, packing for the march to Nantao, bantering with Mrs Vincent; "rememeber you're British". J and Mr M are among the few who have not stockpiled sweet potatoes. In the face of death, all Mr M can do is to remind J that he is British. J wonders whether will Mr M will stand the march and whether he would better ingratiating himself with Mrs V
29 The March to Nantao Exhaustion before they start, difficulty getting used to being outside the camp, the problem of Mr Maxted, trying to stay at the head of the column, the polluted canal, Mrs Philips looks for God and gives him her sweet potato, light and death, Japanese assess the prisoners who cannot move, belongings dropped on the road J realises that they are being taken up-country to be killed. He almost does not join the column when they move on. He holds onto his possessions with renewed determination to survive. J realises Mr M needs his help to cope with the march but realises this will compromise his own chances. Mr M encourages J to rejoin the column, thus saving his life.
30 The Olympic Stadium Encouraging Mr Maxted to keep going, the docks at Nantao, J pushes his suitcase out onto the water "like the coffin of a Chinese child", destruction of their transport ship, the stadium, sleeping beside Mr M dreaming of death and runways The disposal of the case is J's symbolic farewell to the life he has led in Lunghua - "a sentimental but pointless gesture, his first adult act." Still with Mr M, J regrets dumping his possessions because it leaves him nothing to barter
31 The Empire of the Sun American cars and looted possessions, J decided to stay with Mr M, fetching water. The light of a second sun (the atomic bomb) - a premonition of his own death. He stays while the remaining living prisoners are marched away and is robbed of his shoes. J realizes that they are being marched to death. He reverts to being called by his childhood name, "Jamie". J cares for Mr M and fetches water for him and some others, including Mrs V - "having someone to care for was the same as being cared for by someone else."
PART THREE
32 The Eurasian Hail from the wings of aircraft, the Japanese have left during the night, the Eurasian collaborator tells J about the atom bombs, golf shoes, leaving the stadium, light and death J feels as if he and the whole world are dead Mr M dies but J stays by the body for several days
33 The Kamikaze Pilot Walking back to Lunghua, a derelict Zero, the starving schoolboy pilot, the mango The young pilot gives J a mango
34 The Refrigerator in the Sky Dreams of learning to fly, parachutes, food, shooting of Pte. Kimura, Spam, Klim, Reader's Digest J fantasizes about making friends with the pilot but death of Kimura very matter of factly described
35 Lieutenant Price Whether to go home or not, communist soldiers, an American aviator, return to Lunghua, Mr Tulloch the Packard mechanic, Lt. Price, another drop, the guardhouse, dead Japanese soldier in his own cell, Price's mania Exclusion of the Chinese from the relief drops
36 The Flies Back in his room, scent of Mrs Vincent, missing people, bodies in the hospital and flies, Spam like corpses, the Japanese pilot J sees himself from Mrs V's point of view: some understanding of her Memories of another Japanese pilot
37 A Reserved Room Careless drops, neither war nor peace, magazines describing a distant war, growing strength, prisoners with Chinese wives return to prison so they can be free, the next war J feels that the war is both familiar and strange to him J wants to prepare a room for his parents
38 The Road to Shanghai Price's driving, the stadium, Tulloch killed, captured by bandits, Basie B seems to lack interest in J, is prepared to allow him to be killed
39 The Bandits The bandit gang, Capt. Soong, raiding villages, this war/the next war, words, dreams of appearing in Life magazine, the Japanese pilot, the communist village, an Nationalist armoured junk shells the village, exploding ammunition, American cruiser Soong is prepared to use J "as a dog to be worked to death" and a decoy. Change in the Chinese attitude to Europeans B the survivor because he does not dream and does not take anything for granted; us untouched by the war; expects nothing; and is therefore dangerous Dr R probably dead on the march J distracts B from shooting the Japanese pilot
40 The Fallen Airment Nationalist v Communist battles, Basie goes to raid the stadium, back to the airfield, feeding the fish, body of the young Japanese pilot The remnants of the gang avoid the armed refugees J does not tell B that the stadium has probably already been looted. B leaves him with the car to decoy the attention of Chinese militiamen
41 Rescue Mission Despair, all as good as dead, bringing the corpse to life like Dr R, the resurrection of the dead, Dr Ransome, end of the war Reunion with Dr R in the camp hospital The pilot is J's "twin" and symbol of his hopes of escape
PART FOUR
42 The Terrible City The bustle of the city, newsreels and Nationalist propaganda, films, Yang the chauffeur, unreality of home, return to Lunghua, shiny American planes, destruction of graveyard and hospital, World War III, memory of reunion with parents, urinating sailors, China's revenge, a child's coffin J is leaving for a country he does not know - part of his mind will always be in Shanghai Distance between J and his parents when they are reunited J understands what the Chinese are thinking as they are insulted by the sailors
Monday 29 March 2010
Death of a Salesman Numbered Scenes Plot Summary
1. Willy arrives home late at night with sample cases after almost crashing his car.
2. Happy and Biff hear Willy talking to himself about how popular Biff was in High School. They talk about women and how Biff was happy working on a ranch.
3. Willy remembers the boys washing the car and Biff “borrowing a ball” from the locker room. Bernard reminds Biff he has to study.
4. Linda asks him for money and Willy lies about his pay. The woman then thanks him for the silk stockings. He becomes angry at Linda
5. Charley comes in and offers Willy a job. Willy wonders about his time with Ben. They meet in his mind and Ben tells him about diamond mines whilst Willy tries to impress Ben.
6. The family argue on stage and discuss how Biff and Happy are going to set up a sporting goods company. Willy is pleased and gives Biff advice. Biff takes away the piping.
7. ACT TWO Both very happy, Linda tells Willy the boys want to meet him at Frank’s Chop House.
8. Willy asks Wagner (his boss) to stay in New York. Wagner fires Willy.
9. The Lomans and Bernard start to leave for the big game.
10. Bernard and Willy meet and we find out about Bernard’s success. Willy asks Bernard to tell him why Biff is a failure. Charley gives Willy $50
11. At the restaurant Happy is flirting. Biff tells him he didn’t get anywhere with Oliver and stole his fountain pen. He tries to tell Willy about his revelation.
12. Biff discovers the Woman in Willy’s hotel room.
13. The boys return and Linda is furious. She insists they leave. Biff goes to see Willy in the garden. Willy is muttering to Ben about insurance. And 20k
14. The Loman’s argue with Biff trying to make Willy realize his failures and admits to his stealing. Willy doesn’t believe him. Happy tells his parents he is getting married.
15. Willy talks to Ben before the family hear the sound of a car. Linda lays flowers at Willy’s grave.
16. Nobody comes to the funeral; the insurance has not paid out; Happy wants to carry on Willy’s legacy. Alone, Linda tells Willy that she can't cry because she feels like he's just gone on another trip and she made the last payment on the house today.
2. Happy and Biff hear Willy talking to himself about how popular Biff was in High School. They talk about women and how Biff was happy working on a ranch.
3. Willy remembers the boys washing the car and Biff “borrowing a ball” from the locker room. Bernard reminds Biff he has to study.
4. Linda asks him for money and Willy lies about his pay. The woman then thanks him for the silk stockings. He becomes angry at Linda
5. Charley comes in and offers Willy a job. Willy wonders about his time with Ben. They meet in his mind and Ben tells him about diamond mines whilst Willy tries to impress Ben.
6. The family argue on stage and discuss how Biff and Happy are going to set up a sporting goods company. Willy is pleased and gives Biff advice. Biff takes away the piping.
7. ACT TWO Both very happy, Linda tells Willy the boys want to meet him at Frank’s Chop House.
8. Willy asks Wagner (his boss) to stay in New York. Wagner fires Willy.
9. The Lomans and Bernard start to leave for the big game.
10. Bernard and Willy meet and we find out about Bernard’s success. Willy asks Bernard to tell him why Biff is a failure. Charley gives Willy $50
11. At the restaurant Happy is flirting. Biff tells him he didn’t get anywhere with Oliver and stole his fountain pen. He tries to tell Willy about his revelation.
12. Biff discovers the Woman in Willy’s hotel room.
13. The boys return and Linda is furious. She insists they leave. Biff goes to see Willy in the garden. Willy is muttering to Ben about insurance. And 20k
14. The Loman’s argue with Biff trying to make Willy realize his failures and admits to his stealing. Willy doesn’t believe him. Happy tells his parents he is getting married.
15. Willy talks to Ben before the family hear the sound of a car. Linda lays flowers at Willy’s grave.
16. Nobody comes to the funeral; the insurance has not paid out; Happy wants to carry on Willy’s legacy. Alone, Linda tells Willy that she can't cry because she feels like he's just gone on another trip and she made the last payment on the house today.
Sunday 28 March 2010
Extract is taken form the scenes at the Open Air Cinema
Grade - B/B+
How does Ballard bring to life Jim’s quest for survival in this extract?
In this extract of Empire of the sun, Ballard uses detailed description of how Jim has changed since his parent’s last saw him. He makes Jim sound painfully thin, describing his face as “long with its deep eye-sockets and bony forehead.” This gives the impression that Jim is very unwell, however he is eager to survive.
Another way in which Ballard presents Jim to be eager of survival in the detention centre is how he thinks of his parents, and seeing them again. His wishes of seeing them again is keeping him going, “He knew ... that his parents may fail to recognize him.” This gives the impression that he will do whatever it takes to see his parents again.
From this idea of looking ahead, and into the future, I can also understand that Jim is eager of staying alive. He is thinking about seeing his parents “when he was missing his parents he often thought about aircraft.” This quote also helps us to understand throughout the novel when he is thinking about his parents. It also particularly indicates that the planes he thinks of are American Bombers. This could have something to do with thinking of survival. Basie, an American man, who Jim aspires to, as a replacement father-figure, is a strong character, and in Jim’s eyes, he will do anything to survive. Ballard could be using this as a representation of Jim’s admiration of Basie, and of survival.
Jim also is learning to become obsessed with food. This could be something that he uses to keep his mind from boredom. He is “hungry all the time,” and in this extract, it focuses a lot on Jim thinking about food. He was frustrated when he lost out at meal time when he had gone to sleep. “When he had felt feverish, he had missed his ration.” He is learning to become tougher from this, and more aware of routine. He is learning how the Japanese guards serve the food at meal times. They deliver to the mess-tins, and not to the people. This makes him think that he can survive if he keeps a mess-tin with him when food is served. However, in this extract, Jim is still feeling guilty and uneasy at trying to be ruthless with the other prisoners. “He had found himself eating (Mr. Partridge’s) watery gruel. Jim had felt uneasy.” This gives an insight into how Ballard is showing that he is still learning about how to attempt surviving over all the other prisoners.
Overall, I think from this extract Ballard presents Jim starting to establish his desperation for survival, by keeping his mind of thoughts of negativity. Jim, at the moment, is surviving on hopes and dreams alone. He is visibly sick and the only thought of looking to the future, being so sure of what will eventually happen to him, is keeping him motivated to live. This is also the introduction to where he begins learning about survival in these situations.
Grade - B/B+
How does Ballard bring to life Jim’s quest for survival in this extract?
In this extract of Empire of the sun, Ballard uses detailed description of how Jim has changed since his parent’s last saw him. He makes Jim sound painfully thin, describing his face as “long with its deep eye-sockets and bony forehead.” This gives the impression that Jim is very unwell, however he is eager to survive.
Another way in which Ballard presents Jim to be eager of survival in the detention centre is how he thinks of his parents, and seeing them again. His wishes of seeing them again is keeping him going, “He knew ... that his parents may fail to recognize him.” This gives the impression that he will do whatever it takes to see his parents again.
From this idea of looking ahead, and into the future, I can also understand that Jim is eager of staying alive. He is thinking about seeing his parents “when he was missing his parents he often thought about aircraft.” This quote also helps us to understand throughout the novel when he is thinking about his parents. It also particularly indicates that the planes he thinks of are American Bombers. This could have something to do with thinking of survival. Basie, an American man, who Jim aspires to, as a replacement father-figure, is a strong character, and in Jim’s eyes, he will do anything to survive. Ballard could be using this as a representation of Jim’s admiration of Basie, and of survival.
Jim also is learning to become obsessed with food. This could be something that he uses to keep his mind from boredom. He is “hungry all the time,” and in this extract, it focuses a lot on Jim thinking about food. He was frustrated when he lost out at meal time when he had gone to sleep. “When he had felt feverish, he had missed his ration.” He is learning to become tougher from this, and more aware of routine. He is learning how the Japanese guards serve the food at meal times. They deliver to the mess-tins, and not to the people. This makes him think that he can survive if he keeps a mess-tin with him when food is served. However, in this extract, Jim is still feeling guilty and uneasy at trying to be ruthless with the other prisoners. “He had found himself eating (Mr. Partridge’s) watery gruel. Jim had felt uneasy.” This gives an insight into how Ballard is showing that he is still learning about how to attempt surviving over all the other prisoners.
Overall, I think from this extract Ballard presents Jim starting to establish his desperation for survival, by keeping his mind of thoughts of negativity. Jim, at the moment, is surviving on hopes and dreams alone. He is visibly sick and the only thought of looking to the future, being so sure of what will eventually happen to him, is keeping him motivated to live. This is also the introduction to where he begins learning about survival in these situations.
Empire of the Sun Sample Essay
Extract for the question taken from the scenes at the Open Air Cinema
Grade A+
How does Ballard bring to life Jim’s quest for survival in this extract?
Jim’s quest for survival is something which can be noticed throughout the entire book, the fact that he never gives up and always wants to continue to search for his parents. Ballard uses different techniques to bring Jim’s quest for survival to life and therefore make it more interesting for the reader.
One of the ways that Ballard brings Jims quest for survival to life is by using graphic description. ‘Once, without realising it, he had found himself eating the watery gruel. Jim had felt uneasy, and stared at his guilty hands. Parts of his mind and body frequently separated themselves from each other.’ This quote brings it to life by using graphic description by making Jim describe himself with words such as ‘uneasy’ and ‘guilty’. It is so good because it is not normal to hear a boy of Jims’ age talking about themselves in that way; it’s not good to hear them undermining themselves like that.
Jims’ age is something in itself that brings Jims quest for survival to life in the book. ‘Sometimes they mimicked his voice during his fevers. Jim smiled at them and returned to his seat.’ Here Jims’ age can be shown because he is almost unaffected by the aggression and hostility shown by the Eurasian women, and even smiles at them. I think this brings Jims quest for survival to life because his inability to understand why people are angry with him highlights the fact that he is so young and still trying to get through the war and find his parents, which leads into my next point which is also about Jims parents.
Jims’ constant referring to his parents is also a good method of bringing his quest for survival to life. ‘He knew that he was thinner than he had been before the war, and that his parents might fail to recognise him.’ By Jim constantly talking about his parents and what will happen when he finds them after the war, he is reminding the reader of how young he is by still being optimistic that he will find them still despite everything that has happened so far. This is a good way of making Jims’ quest for survival come to life because it makes the reader see Jim as the young child that he is.
Another thing that Jim is constantly referring to is his obsession with the Japanese. ‘After months of roving the streets of Shanghai Jim had finally managed to give himself up to the Japanese forces.’ Jim always talking about the Japanese, not only in this extract but throughout the entire book highlights his obsession with the Japanese. This brings Jim’s quest for survival to life because it shows how Jim doesn’t really full understand how dangerous the Japanese are.
Another thing that is good at bringing Jims’ quest for survival to life is Ballard’s use of Irony; we see it throughout the entire book, as well as in this extract. ‘Although he was hungry all the time, he was happy to be in the detention centre.’ The use of irony is interesting because it makes the reader think about exactly what Ballard is saying, and makes them realise that at the time the people there may have had to use irony at the time to help them to survive.
One of the most interesting of Ballard’s techniques, not only in this extract but throughout the entire book is his use of Juxtaposition. I think that this quote from the extract is a good example of his use of Juxtaposition, ‘He watched a Kawanishi flying boat cross the river. The drone of its engines was comforting, and reminded him of all his dreams of flying.’ I think that this is a good way of bringing Jims quest for survival to life because, like irony, it makes the reader think about the images that Jim is seeing and what he is going through, and understand how he still sees the nicer thing in a scene which is actually filled with sadness or anger.
In conclusion, I think that although Ballard uses many different techniques to bring Jims’ quest for survival to life, I think that the most effective one is by making Jim constantly remind the reader about certain things like his parents and his obsession with the Japanese. I think this because it reminds the reader of just how young Jim is, and that despite the fact that there is still a war going on around him he is still worrying about the smaller things.
Grade A+
How does Ballard bring to life Jim’s quest for survival in this extract?
Jim’s quest for survival is something which can be noticed throughout the entire book, the fact that he never gives up and always wants to continue to search for his parents. Ballard uses different techniques to bring Jim’s quest for survival to life and therefore make it more interesting for the reader.
One of the ways that Ballard brings Jims quest for survival to life is by using graphic description. ‘Once, without realising it, he had found himself eating the watery gruel. Jim had felt uneasy, and stared at his guilty hands. Parts of his mind and body frequently separated themselves from each other.’ This quote brings it to life by using graphic description by making Jim describe himself with words such as ‘uneasy’ and ‘guilty’. It is so good because it is not normal to hear a boy of Jims’ age talking about themselves in that way; it’s not good to hear them undermining themselves like that.
Jims’ age is something in itself that brings Jims quest for survival to life in the book. ‘Sometimes they mimicked his voice during his fevers. Jim smiled at them and returned to his seat.’ Here Jims’ age can be shown because he is almost unaffected by the aggression and hostility shown by the Eurasian women, and even smiles at them. I think this brings Jims quest for survival to life because his inability to understand why people are angry with him highlights the fact that he is so young and still trying to get through the war and find his parents, which leads into my next point which is also about Jims parents.
Jims’ constant referring to his parents is also a good method of bringing his quest for survival to life. ‘He knew that he was thinner than he had been before the war, and that his parents might fail to recognise him.’ By Jim constantly talking about his parents and what will happen when he finds them after the war, he is reminding the reader of how young he is by still being optimistic that he will find them still despite everything that has happened so far. This is a good way of making Jims’ quest for survival come to life because it makes the reader see Jim as the young child that he is.
Another thing that Jim is constantly referring to is his obsession with the Japanese. ‘After months of roving the streets of Shanghai Jim had finally managed to give himself up to the Japanese forces.’ Jim always talking about the Japanese, not only in this extract but throughout the entire book highlights his obsession with the Japanese. This brings Jim’s quest for survival to life because it shows how Jim doesn’t really full understand how dangerous the Japanese are.
Another thing that is good at bringing Jims’ quest for survival to life is Ballard’s use of Irony; we see it throughout the entire book, as well as in this extract. ‘Although he was hungry all the time, he was happy to be in the detention centre.’ The use of irony is interesting because it makes the reader think about exactly what Ballard is saying, and makes them realise that at the time the people there may have had to use irony at the time to help them to survive.
One of the most interesting of Ballard’s techniques, not only in this extract but throughout the entire book is his use of Juxtaposition. I think that this quote from the extract is a good example of his use of Juxtaposition, ‘He watched a Kawanishi flying boat cross the river. The drone of its engines was comforting, and reminded him of all his dreams of flying.’ I think that this is a good way of bringing Jims quest for survival to life because, like irony, it makes the reader think about the images that Jim is seeing and what he is going through, and understand how he still sees the nicer thing in a scene which is actually filled with sadness or anger.
In conclusion, I think that although Ballard uses many different techniques to bring Jims’ quest for survival to life, I think that the most effective one is by making Jim constantly remind the reader about certain things like his parents and his obsession with the Japanese. I think this because it reminds the reader of just how young Jim is, and that despite the fact that there is still a war going on around him he is still worrying about the smaller things.
Sunday 14 March 2010
General Poetry Analysis and Revision Tips
General tips for looking at poems
1. What is the poem about?
Try to summarise the main subject of the poem in one or two lines
2. Who is speaking in the poem? To whom?
Is it the poet’s voice speaking in the poem or is the voice of someone else? Who is the poet speaking to? Are they speaking to you? To themselves? Is there another voice in the poem?
3. How does the poem convey its message?
Verses – what can you say about the poem’s appearance? Why has the poet presented it in this way?
Imagery – what are the main images? Which are particularly striking? Are there any comparisons? similes?, metaphors?, personification?
Alliteration/Assonance – how do repeated consonant or vowel sounds affect the sound of the poem?
Rhythm/Rhyme – what effect do the rhymes have? How does the poem move? Does it have a light rhythm, slow rhythm?
Punctuation – what does this tell you about how the poem should be read?
Mood – what is the mood of the poem?
4. Why do you think the poet has written the poem?
How does the poet feel about the reader? Are you being pleaded with, mocked, laughed at, preached to? Is the poem trying to move you, persuade you, entertain you?
5. What is your personal response to the poem?
How did you react to the poem? Did it move you, make you think/feel? Do you think the poem is effective?
1. What is the poem about?
Try to summarise the main subject of the poem in one or two lines
2. Who is speaking in the poem? To whom?
Is it the poet’s voice speaking in the poem or is the voice of someone else? Who is the poet speaking to? Are they speaking to you? To themselves? Is there another voice in the poem?
3. How does the poem convey its message?
Verses – what can you say about the poem’s appearance? Why has the poet presented it in this way?
Imagery – what are the main images? Which are particularly striking? Are there any comparisons? similes?, metaphors?, personification?
Alliteration/Assonance – how do repeated consonant or vowel sounds affect the sound of the poem?
Rhythm/Rhyme – what effect do the rhymes have? How does the poem move? Does it have a light rhythm, slow rhythm?
Punctuation – what does this tell you about how the poem should be read?
Mood – what is the mood of the poem?
4. Why do you think the poet has written the poem?
How does the poet feel about the reader? Are you being pleaded with, mocked, laughed at, preached to? Is the poem trying to move you, persuade you, entertain you?
5. What is your personal response to the poem?
How did you react to the poem? Did it move you, make you think/feel? Do you think the poem is effective?
Poetry Analysis Phrases
The poem is not anti-war as the second half suggests that young men may gain from the experience – if they face it honestly.
The repetition of the word “few” emphasises exactly how many have been lost in the war and creates a melancholy end to the poem.
Using the phrase “fat civilians” emphasises not only their lack of health but “civilians” implies that they will never fight.
The use of the words “so brave” makes us feel sympathy and pity for the woman as the audience know she is being lied to.
The young men’s innocence is emphasised by comparing their send-off to going to a wedding.
This makes the soldier sound isolated by the use of “a place apart” and almost distances him from the rest of his soldiers.
Describing the boys as “smooth-cheeked and golden” is completely contrasted by “food for shells and guns” which makes the use of the word “golden" seem almost ironic
“And all because his brother had gone west”. The use of the phase “all because” makes the death sound like an everyday occurrence and the euphemism “gone west” adds to this.
The use of the adjective “still” makes the audience realise that the man are dying without cause just as the leaves are falling without a breeze.
The use of “a-happening” makes it sound like the poet is talking to you in a conversational tone, which makes you feel sympathetic towards his feelings.
This line is ironic as it shows how the men never wanted to be soldiers and yet they were promoted because they survived.
The repetition of “row” emphasises just how many soldiers have died in the war which contrasts the growing of the poppies.
Comparing the black thorn flowers to “snow” is almost indicating that the world has turned cold since her lover’s death.
The use of anaphora in the word “perhaps” makes the audience feel that what the poet suggests in the poem will never happen.
The repetition used in the quote emphasises her confidence and reassurance but also that she is unwilling to accept this. The use of “Old” at the beginning of the line highlights the fact that the merchant is unlikely to have any more children and we sympathise with him.
The caesura (pause) after the word “Exposed” highlights the fact that the soldiers don’t stand a chance.
The repetition of “no” highlights that the soldiers were not expecting a battle to be started like this.
There is irony on this line as the solider appears to have lost his faith although previously he spoke about meeting his victim in the afterlife.
The poem remains in a rigid rhyme scheme, perhaps reflecting how the soldiers unwittingly conformed in the end by dying..
Calling the soldiers “seed” indicates that the soldiers who are dying are young.
The capitalisation of “Pride” indicates that Owen felt that the pride of the governments was the blame for the war.
The repetition of the word “few” emphasises exactly how many have been lost in the war and creates a melancholy end to the poem.
Using the phrase “fat civilians” emphasises not only their lack of health but “civilians” implies that they will never fight.
The use of the words “so brave” makes us feel sympathy and pity for the woman as the audience know she is being lied to.
The young men’s innocence is emphasised by comparing their send-off to going to a wedding.
This makes the soldier sound isolated by the use of “a place apart” and almost distances him from the rest of his soldiers.
Describing the boys as “smooth-cheeked and golden” is completely contrasted by “food for shells and guns” which makes the use of the word “golden" seem almost ironic
“And all because his brother had gone west”. The use of the phase “all because” makes the death sound like an everyday occurrence and the euphemism “gone west” adds to this.
The use of the adjective “still” makes the audience realise that the man are dying without cause just as the leaves are falling without a breeze.
The use of “a-happening” makes it sound like the poet is talking to you in a conversational tone, which makes you feel sympathetic towards his feelings.
This line is ironic as it shows how the men never wanted to be soldiers and yet they were promoted because they survived.
The repetition of “row” emphasises just how many soldiers have died in the war which contrasts the growing of the poppies.
Comparing the black thorn flowers to “snow” is almost indicating that the world has turned cold since her lover’s death.
The use of anaphora in the word “perhaps” makes the audience feel that what the poet suggests in the poem will never happen.
The repetition used in the quote emphasises her confidence and reassurance but also that she is unwilling to accept this. The use of “Old” at the beginning of the line highlights the fact that the merchant is unlikely to have any more children and we sympathise with him.
The caesura (pause) after the word “Exposed” highlights the fact that the soldiers don’t stand a chance.
The repetition of “no” highlights that the soldiers were not expecting a battle to be started like this.
There is irony on this line as the solider appears to have lost his faith although previously he spoke about meeting his victim in the afterlife.
The poem remains in a rigid rhyme scheme, perhaps reflecting how the soldiers unwittingly conformed in the end by dying..
Calling the soldiers “seed” indicates that the soldiers who are dying are young.
The capitalisation of “Pride” indicates that Owen felt that the pride of the governments was the blame for the war.
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