Monday, January 10, 2011 @ 6:16 AM


Prose 1
What is your impression of the main character?
My impression of the main character is that he is suspicious. From the passage, is states that "He was tired of running and dodging.Either he had to find a place to hind or he had to surrender...They're looking for me all over...he would wait until the siren sounded far off, then he would go out." This shows that he is trying to avoid someone who is trying to look for him, we then start to question why is someone trying to look for him and who is the "They" that is finding him. He is also acting suspicious as he would wait until the siren sounded far off before he go out, it made me question whether the "siren" is something that got to do with the people that are looking for him all over. Therefore my impression of the main character is that he is suspicious.

By paying close attention to repeated words and images, show how the writer conveys and develops the sense of fear within the main character. How effective is he in doing this?
Give evidence to support your answer.
The writer is effective in conveying and developing of the sense of fear within the main character. From the passage, he uses the image of "siren" in "siren sounded far off, then he would go out...the siren sounded so near..." , the image of the "scream of brakes and the siren broke off" as well as the image of the fast moving water in "He dropped and was washed violently into an ocean of warm, leaping water.His head was battered against a wall and he wondered if this were death." This shows that the writer is trying to develop the sense of fear by using the image of the "siren" which sounded so near, we knew from the start that the main character is trying to avoid the "siren". The writer then develop the sense of fear further by using the image of fast moving water, the main character dropped and was washed away by the fast moving water, he head was also battered against a wall, this increases the level of fear within the main character as he wondered if this were death. Lastly, the writer uses the image of the "scream of brakes and the siren broke off", the main character was caught by the policeman which makes the main character in fear of what is going to happen to him. Therefore, the writer is effective in conveying and developing the sense of fear within the main character.

How would you describe the mood in the text? Support your answer with reference to the text.
The mood in the text is mystery and suspense. Throughout the whole passage, we could see that the main character is running away from the police, but we do not know the reason why he is being wanted by the policemen. Throughout the whole passage, there is suspense as we read, we do not know what is going to happen next, whether he could escape from the police or would he be caught in the end. The feeling of suspense kept the reader interested to read finish the whole passage. Therefore, the mood in the text is mystery and suspense.

What techniques does the writer use to create tension and suspense as he builds the story up to its climax?

Prose 2
What is the narrator's view of men in general and , in particular, her boyfriend?
The narrator's view of men is that they are hard to comprehend. From the passage, "Men are difficult.So hard to understand...And he'd be so tired, so irritable. He'd snap at me for no reason. And when I got upset he'd make me feel guilty for being upset, for spoiling his few hours of freedom...He'd mention some sergeant who he said had marked him but when I hugged him and said I was sorry he shrugged me off; I could not understand , he said. He was right; I could not understand."This shows that the narrator's view of men in general is that they are hard to comprehend with the evidence of "Men are difficult.So hard to understand". The narrator also do not understand her boyfriend who snaps at her for no reason and make her feel guilty for being upset when he is the cause of it. Therefore, the narrator's view of men is that they are hard to comprehend.

Identify the internal and external conflicts in the text.

Discuss how the tone and style of narration are appropriate in this extract.
The tone and style of narration are appropriate in this extract. The tone of the extract is melancholy while the style of narration is a first-person narration. The tone shows that the narrator is feeling sadness for not being able to understand men especially her boyfriend. The style of narration is a first-person narration as she uses the word "I", the writer use this form to focus on how she views the events in the story, which is her displeasure towards men. Therefore, the tone and style of narration are appropriate in this extract.

How does the writer develop our sympathy for the protagonist? Support your answer with reference to the text.

The writer of this extract is a male person. Do you feel that his depiction of the female persona is stereotypical? Give reasons for your answer.

Prose 3
Vampires are traditionally known to be evil and cruel in nature. Does the vampire in this extract appear to be different? Can you say how? Provide examples to support your point.
The vampire in this extract appear to be different as he is the opposite of what vampires are traditionally know to be which is evil and cruel in nature. From the passage, "But I thought vampires didn't like light...Don't be afraid. Just start the tape...Believe me, I won't hurt you. I want this opportunity.It's more important to me that you can realize now. I want you to begin." This shows that the vampire in this extract is not what vampires are traditionally known for, the vampire in this extract was not afraid of the light, he is not evil and cruel to hurt the boy which can be seen as "Don't be afraid", "I won't hurt you". Therefore, the vampire in this extract appear to be the opposite of what vampires are traditionally known to be which is evil and cruel in nature.

What evidence can you find to show that the boy becomes increasingly uneasy during the interview?
The evidence to show that the boy becomes increasingly unneasy during the interview is "And then he sighed with relief when the vampire moved towards the table and reached for the overhead cord...His fingers danced backwards on the table to grasp the edge...The boy recoliled, sweat running down the sides of his face...It took a moment for the boy to wipe his forehead and his lips with a handkerchief, to stammer that the microphone was in the machine, to press the button, to say that the machine was on." This shows that the boy becomes increasingly uneasy during the interview as he started to sweat which flow down the sides of his face. In the end, he had to wipe his forehead and his lips with a handkerchief as he most probably sweat alot, he also stammer which shows he speaks with sudden pauses and had a tendency of repeating himself. Therefore, the boy becomes increasingly uneasy during the interview.

The boy appears to be in control of the interview at the beginning of the text. Show how the vampire takes control of the interview as it progresses.
The boy appears to be in control of the interview at the beginning of the text, the evidence showing that is "I'm anxious to hear why you believe this, why you...", but he was interupted by the vampire who disagree with how the boy begins the interview. The boy was afraid to offend the vampire thus becoming nervous. In the end, the vampire manipulated the boy using fear and thats how he took control of the interview as it progresses.
Prose 4
What do you think the tangerine symbolizes?
I think that the tangerine sumbolizes prosperity and good luck. He saw her standing a little further back, letting the children run ahead her, he bought a bag tangerines from her. Form the passage,"He knelt before her to wait and handed her the note when she held up the bag to him, her thin, brown arm straining with the weight of the baf on her entended arm." This shows that he offered half of the tangerine to her is because he wanted to give her luck, but partly because he saw how thin she was.

Discuss the writer's use of point of view and style of narration. How do they enhance your understanding of the narrator's character?
The style of narration is a second-person narration because it was not Nick that experience the event, he uses "he" instead of "I".
What kinds of conflict are evident in this extract? Do you think any of those conflicts are resolved by the end of this passage?
The conflict in the extract is the internal conflict in Nick. Nick who grown up ruthlessly effiecient, organized and prepared for most things that creates the conflict within himself, he is learned and used to "close his eyes, his ears and his heart to other people's suffering, telling himself that if he could not help, he should not feel too badly about it" This made him lose the sense of pity in him. I think that the conflict is resolved by the end of this passage, when he is able to feel a pity for the girl who sell tangerines by buying a bag and sharing the tangerine with her.

Prose 5
How would you describe the setting and atmosphere of this scene? How does the setting complement the inner feelings of Mrs Mallard?
The setting is heavy and sorrowful, to complement the inner feelings of Mrs Mallard as she receive the news of her husband's death from her sister Josephine. From the passage, "The delicious breath of rain was in the air", shows that it was raining which brings up the mood of her being depress over his death. The rain could also represent her crying for the death of her husband. Therefore the setting is heavy and sorrowful.

In what way has Mrs Mallard been repressed in her marriage? What other impression do you have of Mrs Mallard and what are your feelings for her at the end of the text?

Why is the conclusion of this story ironic? How does the writer develop the story towards its ironic conclusion?
The conclusion of this story is ironic as it was Mrs Mallard that died instead of her husband, Brently Mallard. Throughout the whole story, it makes us believe that Brently Mallard had died in a railroad disaster but in the end, it shocked us to realise that it he is still alive while his wife died of heart disease.
Prose 6
Why is the father unable to recognize his daughter when he first sees her?
The father was unable to recognize his daughter when he first sees her as since his ex-wife, who won the custody of her, had take went to California and never came back. They have not met each other for eight years, within this eight years, alot of things could change, his daughter had grown up and should look different compared to eight years ago. Therefore, the father was unable to recognize his daughter when he first sees her.

What is your impression of Li Wen? How well do you think she will be able to adjust to her new environment? Give evidence to support your points.
My impression of Li Wen is that she is agressive. From the passage, "He saw her finally, by the soft-drinks machine, inserting coins; no drink emerged and she kicked the machine, once, twice, three times." This shows that she is agressive. I think that it will be hard for her to adjust to her new environment. From the passage, ""Man, is that all the radio there is? M.O.R and Bach?" She sounded flabbergasted..."I gotta get my Walkman out from the back. I can't listen to this junk. Kenny Rogers-" She rolled her eyes." This shows that she is unable to adjust to the music in the new environment that she needs her Walkman which has songs from her old environment which she is used to. Her reaction towards the songs being played, shows that she isn't able to adjust to her new environment easily. Therefore, I think that it will be hard for her to adjust to her new environment.

How does the writer depict the tension between father and daughter in this extract? support your answer with reference to the text.
There is a difference in the western and eastern culture. The tension between father and daughter in this extract could be seen during the incident of the music being played by the radio. From the passage, "Oh my God...Can this be real...Man, is that all the radio there is? M.O.R. and Bach?...We don't believe in being swamped by the media here." This shows that both Lee and her father were making sacarstic remarks which create the tension in this extract which also shows the difference between the western and eastern culture.

How does the writer effectively convey the changing attitude of the father towards his daughter as the text progresses? Support your answer with reference to the text.
The father was firstly annoyed by her not remembering her country. However, her father attitude changes towards the end when Lee wanted to stop to take her Walkman, he was about to say no, but he gave in to her and stopped the car, to make her happy. In the end of the passage, "in a way, it was a relief not to have to talk." which shows that he was happy that he do not need to talk to Lee and I think it is because it could cause much more conflict between them.

In what way does the writer highlight the conflict between East and West? What are your feelings towards the father and daughter in the story?
The writer highlight the conflict between East and West through the conversation the father had with his mother. From the passage, "He had had great difficulty in persuading his mother to stay away that night; he'd needed, he said to be alone when he met Li Wen."Is that a new-fangled Western concept or what?" his mother had demanded. She had never understood that one sometimes needed a modicum of privacy, a moment to take stock; everything had to be done As Family." This shows that the East are used to doing things in a group while the West are used to doing things along independently which is conflicting. Therefore, the writer highlight the conflict between East and West through the conversation the father had with his mother.

Monday, January 10, 2011 @ 6:16 AM


Prose 1
What is your impression of the main character?
My impression of the main character is that he is suspicious. From the passage, is states that "He was tired of running and dodging.Either he had to find a place to hind or he had to surrender...They're looking for me all over...he would wait until the siren sounded far off, then he would go out." This shows that he is trying to avoid someone who is trying to look for him, we then start to question why is someone trying to look for him and who is the "They" that is finding him. He is also acting suspicious as he would wait until the siren sounded far off before he go out, it made me question whether the "siren" is something that got to do with the people that are looking for him all over. Therefore my impression of the main character is that he is suspicious.

By paying close attention to repeated words and images, show how the writer conveys and develops the sense of fear within the main character. How effective is he in doing this?
Give evidence to support your answer.
The writer is effective in conveying and developing of the sense of fear within the main character. From the passage, he uses the image of "siren" in "siren sounded far off, then he would go out...the siren sounded so near..." , the image of the "scream of brakes and the siren broke off" as well as the image of the fast moving water in "He dropped and was washed violently into an ocean of warm, leaping water.His head was battered against a wall and he wondered if this were death." This shows that the writer is trying to develop the sense of fear by using the image of the "siren" which sounded so near, we knew from the start that the main character is trying to avoid the "siren". The writer then develop the sense of fear further by using the image of fast moving water, the main character dropped and was washed away by the fast moving water, he head was also battered against a wall, this increases the level of fear within the main character as he wondered if this were death. Lastly, the writer uses the image of the "scream of brakes and the siren broke off", the main character was caught by the policeman which makes the main character in fear of what is going to happen to him. Therefore, the writer is effective in conveying and developing the sense of fear within the main character.

How would you describe the mood in the text? Support your answer with reference to the text.
The mood in the text is mystery and suspense. Throughout the whole passage, we could see that the main character is running away from the police, but we do not know the reason why he is being wanted by the policemen. Throughout the whole passage, there is suspense as we read, we do not know what is going to happen next, whether he could escape from the police or would he be caught in the end. The feeling of suspense kept the reader interested to read finish the whole passage. Therefore, the mood in the text is mystery and suspense.

What techniques does the writer use to create tension and suspense as he builds the story up to its climax?

Prose 2
What is the narrator's view of men in general and , in particular, her boyfriend?
The narrator's view of men is that they are hard to comprehend. From the passage, "Men are difficult.So hard to understand...And he'd be so tired, so irritable. He'd snap at me for no reason. And when I got upset he'd make me feel guilty for being upset, for spoiling his few hours of freedom...He'd mention some sergeant who he said had marked him but when I hugged him and said I was sorry he shrugged me off; I could not understand , he said. He was right; I could not understand."This shows that the narrator's view of men in general is that they are hard to comprehend with the evidence of "Men are difficult.So hard to understand". The narrator also do not understand her boyfriend who snaps at her for no reason and make her feel guilty for being upset when he is the cause of it. Therefore, the narrator's view of men is that they are hard to comprehend.

Identify the internal and external conflicts in the text.

Discuss how the tone and style of narration are appropriate in this extract.
The tone and style of narration are appropriate in this extract. The tone of the extract is melancholy while the style of narration is a first-person narration. The tone shows that the narrator is feeling sadness for not being able to understand men especially her boyfriend. The style of narration is a first-person narration as she uses the word "I", the writer use this form to focus on how she views the events in the story, which is her displeasure towards men. Therefore, the tone and style of narration are appropriate in this extract.

How does the writer develop our sympathy for the protagonist? Support your answer with reference to the text.

The writer of this extract is a male person. Do you feel that his depiction of the female persona is stereotypical? Give reasons for your answer.

Prose 3
Vampires are traditionally known to be evil and cruel in nature. Does the vampire in this extract appear to be different? Can you say how? Provide examples to support your point.
The vampire in this extract appear to be different as he is the opposite of what vampires are traditionally know to be which is evil and cruel in nature. From the passage, "But I thought vampires didn't like light...Don't be afraid. Just start the tape...Believe me, I won't hurt you. I want this opportunity.It's more important to me that you can realize now. I want you to begin." This shows that the vampire in this extract is not what vampires are traditionally known for, the vampire in this extract was not afraid of the light, he is not evil and cruel to hurt the boy which can be seen as "Don't be afraid", "I won't hurt you". Therefore, the vampire in this extract appear to be the opposite of what vampires are traditionally known to be which is evil and cruel in nature.

What evidence can you find to show that the boy becomes increasingly uneasy during the interview?
The evidence to show that the boy becomes increasingly unneasy during the interview is "And then he sighed with relief when the vampire moved towards the table and reached for the overhead cord...His fingers danced backwards on the table to grasp the edge...The boy recoliled, sweat running down the sides of his face...It took a moment for the boy to wipe his forehead and his lips with a handkerchief, to stammer that the microphone was in the machine, to press the button, to say that the machine was on." This shows that the boy becomes increasingly uneasy during the interview as he started to sweat which flow down the sides of his face. In the end, he had to wipe his forehead and his lips with a handkerchief as he most probably sweat alot, he also stammer which shows he speaks with sudden pauses and had a tendency of repeating himself. Therefore, the boy becomes increasingly uneasy during the interview.

The boy appears to be in control of the interview at the beginning of the text. Show how the vampire takes control of the interview as it progresses.
The boy appears to be in control of the interview at the beginning of the text, the evidence showing that is "I'm anxious to hear why you believe this, why you...", but he was interupted by the vampire who disagree with how the boy begins the interview. The boy was afraid to offend the vampire thus becoming nervous. In the end, the vampire manipulated the boy using fear and thats how he took control of the interview as it progresses.
Prose 4
What do you think the tangerine symbolizes?
I think that the tangerine sumbolizes prosperity and good luck. He saw her standing a little further back, letting the children run ahead her, he bought a bag tangerines from her. Form the passage,"He knelt before her to wait and handed her the note when she held up the bag to him, her thin, brown arm straining with the weight of the baf on her entended arm." This shows that he offered half of the tangerine to her is because he wanted to give her luck, but partly because he saw how thin she was.

Discuss the writer's use of point of view and style of narration. How do they enhance your understanding of the narrator's character?
The style of narration is a second-person narration because it was not Nick that experience the event, he uses "he" instead of "I".
What kinds of conflict are evident in this extract? Do you think any of those conflicts are resolved by the end of this passage?
The conflict in the extract is the internal conflict in Nick. Nick who grown up ruthlessly effiecient, organized and prepared for most things that creates the conflict within himself, he is learned and used to "close his eyes, his ears and his heart to other people's suffering, telling himself that if he could not help, he should not feel too badly about it" This made him lose the sense of pity in him. I think that the conflict is resolved by the end of this passage, when he is able to feel a pity for the girl who sell tangerines by buying a bag and sharing the tangerine with her.

Prose 5
How would you describe the setting and atmosphere of this scene? How does the setting complement the inner feelings of Mrs Mallard?
The setting is heavy and sorrowful, to complement the inner feelings of Mrs Mallard as she receive the news of her husband's death from her sister Josephine. From the passage, "The delicious breath of rain was in the air", shows that it was raining which brings up the mood of her being depress over his death. The rain could also represent her crying for the death of her husband. Therefore the setting is heavy and sorrowful.

In what way has Mrs Mallard been repressed in her marriage? What other impression do you have of Mrs Mallard and what are your feelings for her at the end of the text?

Why is the conclusion of this story ironic? How does the writer develop the story towards its ironic conclusion?
The conclusion of this story is ironic as it was Mrs Mallard that died instead of her husband, Brently Mallard. Throughout the whole story, it makes us believe that Brently Mallard had died in a railroad disaster but in the end, it shocked us to realise that it he is still alive while his wife died of heart disease.
Prose 6
Why is the father unable to recognize his daughter when he first sees her?
The father was unable to recognize his daughter when he first sees her as since his ex-wife, who won the custody of her, had take went to California and never came back. They have not met each other for eight years, within this eight years, alot of things could change, his daughter had grown up and should look different compared to eight years ago. Therefore, the father was unable to recognize his daughter when he first sees her.

What is your impression of Li Wen? How well do you think she will be able to adjust to her new environment? Give evidence to support your points.
My impression of Li Wen is that she is agressive. From the passage, "He saw her finally, by the soft-drinks machine, inserting coins; no drink emerged and she kicked the machine, once, twice, three times." This shows that she is agressive. I think that it will be hard for her to adjust to her new environment. From the passage, ""Man, is that all the radio there is? M.O.R and Bach?" She sounded flabbergasted..."I gotta get my Walkman out from the back. I can't listen to this junk. Kenny Rogers-" She rolled her eyes." This shows that she is unable to adjust to the music in the new environment that she needs her Walkman which has songs from her old environment which she is used to. Her reaction towards the songs being played, shows that she isn't able to adjust to her new environment easily. Therefore, I think that it will be hard for her to adjust to her new environment.

How does the writer depict the tension between father and daughter in this extract? support your answer with reference to the text.
There is a difference in the western and eastern culture. The tension between father and daughter in this extract could be seen during the incident of the music being played by the radio. From the passage, "Oh my God...Can this be real...Man, is that all the radio there is? M.O.R. and Bach?...We don't believe in being swamped by the media here." This shows that both Lee and her father were making sacarstic remarks which create the tension in this extract which also shows the difference between the western and eastern culture.

How does the writer effectively convey the changing attitude of the father towards his daughter as the text progresses? Support your answer with reference to the text.
The father was firstly annoyed by her not remembering her country. However, her father attitude changes towards the end when Lee wanted to stop to take her Walkman, he was about to say no, but he gave in to her and stopped the car, to make her happy. In the end of the passage, "in a way, it was a relief not to have to talk." which shows that he was happy that he do not need to talk to Lee and I think it is because it could cause much more conflict between them.

In what way does the writer highlight the conflict between East and West? What are your feelings towards the father and daughter in the story?
The writer highlight the conflict between East and West through the conversation the father had with his mother. From the passage, "He had had great difficulty in persuading his mother to stay away that night; he'd needed, he said to be alone when he met Li Wen."Is that a new-fangled Western concept or what?" his mother had demanded. She had never understood that one sometimes needed a modicum of privacy, a moment to take stock; everything had to be done As Family." This shows that the East are used to doing things in a group while the West are used to doing things along independently which is conflicting. Therefore, the writer highlight the conflict between East and West through the conversation the father had with his mother.