The Explorer’s Daughter

Question 1

What type of text is ‘The Explorer’s Daughter’

Answer 1

Autobiography

Question 2

what is the purpose of the text ‘The Explorer’s Daughter’

Answer 2

To inform readers of the lives of the Inughuit people and their relationship with the natural world

To entertain readers with powerful descriptions of nature

To educate readers about the moral dilemma faced by the clash of different cultural attitudes

Question 3

what tone is used in the text ‘The Explorer’s Daughter’

Answer 3

1st person – informative and descriptive regarding the depiction of a culture readers may not know much about.

Sense of awe and wonder at the natural world.

Tones of excitement and anticipation as the hunt begins, then a sense of confusion and moral dilemma as she reflects on her conflicted feelings about how the narwhal is treated
didactic tone
reflective tone

Question 4

what are the key themes and ideas in the text ‘The Explorer’s Daughter’

Answer 4

1. The wonder and beauty of the natural world
2. Educational / scientific / informative account of the social and cultural role the narwhal plays in Inughuit society
3. Philosophical contemplations and reflection upon different attitudes to the natural world among different cultures. Her beliefs are a mixture of Western perspectives and a sympathetic understanding of the Inughuit people, having spent time living with them as a child.

Question 5

highlight some structural points in the text ‘The Explorer’s Daughter’

Answer 5

Initial bucolic description of the setting to engage the reader and to engage our sympathy for the narwhal.
switches to a more formal tone when describing the importance of the whale for the survival of the inghuit people. this offers a new perspective on our sympathies for the narwhal.
A second shift of tone of excitement when the depiction of the hunt begins.
Ends with a reflective exploration of her moral dilemma – as a reader, we are left feeling sympathy for the narwhal, but also the survival of the Inughuit people

Question 6

highlight some language points in the text ‘The Explorer’s Daughter’

Answer 6

**sensuous imagery ** when describing the narwhal - ‘spectral play of colour’ and ‘glittering kingdom’ - sense of magical, otherworldly quality.
**Sense of mystery and metaphors pertaining to magic ** in describing the narwhal as ‘mischievous tricks of the shifting light’.

**scientific language ** to describe narwhal, as well as references to historical relationship between man and whale – references to ‘mattak or blubber rich in minerals and vitamins’, the need for the ivory tusk for harpoon tips etc.
**Use of Dynamic verbs and adverbs ** to heighten the sense of drama when the hunt begins - ‘clustered’, ‘spinning round’, ‘instinctively’, ‘intently’
**Long, multi-clausal sentences ** ‘to depict the excitement and energy of the hunt. Combined with emotive language to describe the effect on the writer - ‘my heart leapt for both hunter and narwhal’
Cultural references - ‘Like a sort of madwoman in the attic (simile referencing Jane Eyre)
**Powerful tricolon of verbs ** ‘to dive, to leave, to survive’.
**Direct speech and rhetorical question ** to depict questioning voice of societal judgement - ‘How can you possibly eat seal?’