Language Techniques (Junior Cert English): Revision Notes

Language Techniques

1. Metaphor – "The world turned upside down"

• Raphael describes the moment he finds José Angelico's wallet as:

"My unlucky-lucky day, the day the world turned upside down? That was a Thursday."

• This metaphor shows how dramatically Raphael's life changes.
• The phrase "world turned upside down" suggests that everything familiar becomes uncertain — his routine is shattered, and danger enters his life.
• The metaphor reflects the chaotic shift from ordinary to extraordinary.

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2. Simile – "Like precious water"

• Olivia describes the importance of money in the lives of the poor:

"Money … is more important, and it is dripping all the time, like precious water. Some drink deep; others thirst."

• This simile compares money to water, showing how essential it is for survival.
• The extended image (dripping, thirst, shrivelling) shows the slow suffering of poverty and the unfair way resources are distributed.

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3. Symbolism – Waste picking

• The boys' daily task of picking through rubbish becomes a symbol of extreme poverty and inequality.
• The rich throw things away without thought, while the poor risk injury just to survive.
• The waste picking symbol highlights the value gap between classes and how the poor are treated like trash themselves, especially by the police.

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4. Situational Irony – The frightened interrogator

• During Raphael's violent interrogation, the police officer surprises him:

"I saw he was tired, and maybe even scared. He looked like he wanted to stop."

• This is situational irony — we expect the torturer to be powerful and fearless, but instead, he is vulnerable and worn down.
• This moment humanises the oppressor and shows how corruption destroys everyone, not just the poor.

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5. Visual Imagery – Pia's school photo

• Raphael describes a photo he finds in the wallet:

"Long dark hair and beautiful eyes. Serious face, like Gardo's — as if no one had told her to smile."

• This visual imagery paints a clear picture of Pia Dante, evoking sympathy before we even meet her.
• The comparison to Gardo highlights the hardness and sadness shared by children in this world.

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6. Olfactory Imagery – The prison

• Olivia describes the horrific prison conditions:

"A smell of old food, sweat and urine."

• This olfactory imagery allows the reader to imagine the stench and suffering.
• It emphasises the inhumanity of the justice system, showing how prisoners are neglected and dehumanised.