H is for Hawk

Question 1

first point

Answer 1

Firstly, the writer engages the reader by presenting her anticipation of meeting the first Hawk

Emotive language – Macdonald uses phrases like “my heart thudding with excitement” to show her intense emotional state, which helps the reader feel her nervous anticipation.

Sensory imagery – She describes the hawk’s feathers as “like oiled silk”, using vivid, tactile imagery to reflect how closely she is observing and how highly she anticipates the moment.

Structural technique: short sentences and paragraph breaks – As the box is opened, the text slows down using short, fragmented sentences. This structure mirrors the suspense and builds tension for the reader, emphasising her focused anticipation.

Question 2

second point

Answer 2

Religious and mythical allusions – She describes the hawk as “a fallen angel”, suggesting it is otherworldly and divine, highlighting how deeply she reveres it and feels spiritually connected.

Zoomorphic and exotic comparisons – She compares the hawk’s qualities to a “griffon” and a “dragon”, using unusual animal imagery to suggest this bird is unique and extraordinary in her eyes.

Shift in narrative pace – The pacing slows and becomes more reflective once the hawk is revealed, showing that time almost stands still in the moment of connection, making the reader share in its intensity.
Macdonald uses metaphors like “a conjuring trick” to describe the hawk’s sudden appearance, showing how magical and meaningful the moment feels to her.

Question 3

3rd point

Answer 3

Finally, the writer engages the reader in…’ her lack of connection with the third Hawk

Emotive language – She conveys frustration and detachment using words like “cold”, “empty”, and “distant” to express how disconnected she feels from the bird.

Figurative language – The hawk is described with harsh imagery, such as “like a machine” or “a stranger”, highlighting its unfeeling and impersonal nature.

Structural technique: abrupt, fragmented sentences – Short, clipped sentences and sudden breaks reflect the breakdown of her bond and create a feeling of emotional distance and confusion.

Question 4

ending