Aunt Julia

Question 1

Gaelic

Answer 1

• word choice suggests his aunt is different as Gaelic is

not commonly spoken

Question 2

very loud and very fast

Answer 2

• repetition shows she is an extrovert + not shy
• main theme (barriers in communication) despite this
  strong, passionate, capable old woman

Question 3

I could not answer her -

I could not understand her

Answer 3

• repetition emphasises helplessness

Question 4

she wore MENS BOOTS

Answer 4

• imagery help you understand she is quite quirky
• also emphasising the location and how she needs
  strong, scruffy boots to help her do practical daily tasks
  outside

Question 5

STRONG foot

Answer 5

• word choice of ‘strong’ has connotations of tough
• suggests she’s not fragile, frail or
  weak

Question 6

stained with peat

Answer 6

• imagery suggesting her connection with the earth,

nature + this Gaelic island

Question 7

PADDLING with the treadle of the spinningwheel

Answer 7

• word choice of ‘paddling’ suggests the movement he
  associates with his aunt + he admires her for this as she
  is very energetic, fit + constantly moving

Question 8

marvellously

Answer 8

• word choice has connotations of magically showing he

admires her

Question 9

absolute DARKNESS + crickets being FRIENDLY

Answer 9

• contrast shows that despite the darkness and primitive
  accommodation, he feels safe + secure
• word choice of ‘friendly’ makes you think he feels
  comforted

Question 10

she was BUCKETS and

WATER flouncing into them

Answer 10

• metaphor as aunt is being described as nature would

be + shows she is always on the move like water

Question 11

she was WINDS

Answer 11

• metaphor showing she has strength and courage like

forceful winds

Question 12

threepennybits

in a teapot

Answer 12

• imagery showing she is a practical person as she has
  saved up her spare change + gives us the idea of
  security

Question 13

By the time I had learned,

a little

Answer 13

• word choice shows how the Gaelic language is dying

out

Question 14

she lay

silenced in the ABSOLUTE BLACK

Answer 14

• repetition contrasts with colour associated with death,
• the stillness contrasts with her usually being on the
  move

Question 15

a seagull’s voice

Answer 15

• imagery of aunt living on through nature, representing
  island life, culture, landscape + having a harsh life with
  weather conditions, isolation e.c.t

Question 16

getting angry, getting angry

Answer 16

• repetition highlighting the fact he didn’t learn the
  language soon enough so he’s upset with himself +
  afraid the Gaelic language + culture has died with her
• regret linking to visiting hour

Question 17

so many questions,

UNANSWERED

Answer 17

• word choice suggests the ambiguity/uncertainty
• questions he would loved to have asked her but
  couldn’t
• all of what she represented is lost + gives off
  an unsettling tone

Question 18

peatscrapes and lazybeds

Answer 18

• word choice representative of the harsh lifestyle, culture
  + landscape of living on this island