the explorers daughter Flashcards
(23 cards)
“The narwhal catching the light in a spectral play of colour”.
“Spectral “ is an adjective that makes the whales seem fantastic and other worldly
methodically
emphasises the narwhales intelligence as it seems like the narwhales are planning their movement
“I looked out across the glittering kingdom”
“Glittering kingdom” is a romanticised metaphor which has connotations of a fairy tale
“Took a sharp intake of breath”
shes in awe of the sea creature- sharp is harsh sound, maybe emphasizing her shock
“Turning butter - gold”
Is a compound adjective contrasting beauty and necessity’s summing up the para. ironic as this is a hunt except she is in awe of them
Catching the soft billows of smoke from a lone hunters pipe.”
Peaceful imagery is juxtaposed to the reality of the hunt
rarely stray, escaping only, never entering
suggests they are cautious and intelligent
is an essential contributor to survival of the hunters
she appetites the reason why they have to hunt them
“Vitamin C was the only reason eskimos didn’t suffer from scurvy”
Tonal shift from romanticised visions to statistical views, ethos shows the audience she’s educated in her claims
“For carving protective tupilaks”
This shows she understands the dilemma and expresses the Inuit’s practical and purposeful use of the animal
“The women clustered on the knoll of the lookout, binoculars pointing in every direction”
small gasp or jump
The fast pace builds up tension and highlights the importance of the catch
either emphasizes how rare or dangerous they are
“It was like watching a vast, waterbourne game with the hunters spread like a net around the sound”
The simile creates a more light hearted tone, “waterbourne game” stresses the importance of the hunt
ironic as she describes it like its a sport, except she says it isnt a killing sport
“Their senses are keen and they talk to one another under water “
Anthropomorphism brings a sense of sympathy to the whales, creating a more essential dilemma
however, emphasizes the danger as theyre intelligent and have keen senses which is a big disadvantage to hunter
”, and they were huge.”
Size is stressed as it is in its own clause
“He gently picked up his harpoon and aimed”
The idea of “gently” aiming shows he has respect for the whale,
however, ironic as hes about to kill it
“In that split second my heart leapt”
Personification of “leapt” accentuates the danger of the hunt
conflicted feelings
“He was so close and so brave to attempt”
Repetition of the modifier so intensifies the words and amplifies hunters bravery
“Be capsized and drown”
emphasizes danger and also lists vulnerabilities
“To dive, to leave, to survive”
use of triplets reflects her panic- conflicted
sea mammals that we demand to be protected because of their beatuty….
how can you possibly eat seal?
she considers readers pov(westerners) and addresses readers concern- direct address
“True, the images that bombarded us several years ago of men battering seals for their fur hasn’t help the issue of polar hunting”
Contrast Inuit hunters with seal hunters this is a juxtaposition between the brutality of hunting and a way of life
“But the inughuit do not kill seals using this method, nor do they kill for sport “
Creates a contrast between the western idea of hunting for sport and the Inuit’s need to hunt for survival
“Hunting is still an absolute necessity in Thule”.
Short sentence are uses to sum up the whole para. She creates a sense of pathos throughout and leaves you to make your own decision.
