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17. Look at lines 1–11 - Scottish Highers English - Question 17 - 2018
Question 17
17. Look at lines 1–11. By referring to at least two examples, analyse how language is used to create a bleak atmosphere.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:17. Look at lines 1–11 - Scottish Highers English - Question 17 - 2018
Step 1
Example 1: 'That winter ... island'
Answer
The phrase 'That winter the gravedigger was the busiest man in the island' sets a somber tone right from the start. The choice of the word 'busiest' juxtaposed with the context of a gravedigger suggests a season of great loss. The use of the definite article 'the' portrays a singular focus on death, indicating its overwhelming presence in the community.
Step 2
Example 2: 'squatted in the east ... with her breath'
Answer
The description of the 'wind squatted in the east' evokes an image of a malevolent force, suggesting a threatening atmosphere. Coupled with the line 'blew the dead weight of her breath,' the language personifies the wind and enhances the feeling of despair, insinuating that winter brings not just cold, but also a suffocating sense of loss.