® ENGLISH GCSE – NON-FICTION TEXTS
The Explorers Daughter, Kari Herbert
Light & Colour:
The references to light and colour emphasises beaty and joy of the
whales. Describes the spray of the whales as ‘catching the light in a
spectral play of colour’. ‘Catching’ and ‘play’ establishes an idea of
a playful and active nature of the whales. The light is also described
as ‘butter-gold’ - quite rich imagery creating a sense of warmth and
softness which contrasts the harsh cool climate. Reflects the beaty of
nature and the beaty of the narwhal. Also, perhaps critical of
humans in general for ruining this beautiful planet, her included.
‘Mischievous tricks of shifting light’ in the last sentence also show how
magical the creatures are – demonstrates how the writer is in awe of
the whale and the magical theme links to the ‘kingdom’
Isolation:
She doesn’t want us to slate and be angry at the Innuits for killing
them because she forcefully reminds us throughout that this is a
necessity for them, and she even ends with the line that ‘hunting is
an absolute necessity’ showing that no matter how beautiful they
are they are killed for good reason and that it isn’t just some sport.
She says they don’t have ‘rifles, only one harpoon’ showing how
skilled these people must be and that if they miss, they will die or
starve for a long time because the narwhal is their only source of
food. Alliteration of b on ‘bombarded’ and ‘battering’ on line 57
shows the harshness and cruelty but she reinforces the fact it has to
be done. When she talks about how it’s vital for them to stay alive,
she speaks in a blunt, factual tone to help convey her point and she
helps reinforce the point the whales are needed, and the hunters
aren’t bad because she says the whales are ‘contributors’ which
dehumanises them making the hunters seem superior and more
important, which we are led to believe. ‘Only one ship’ shows how
spread from isolation they are
Use of Verbs & Adverbs:
The use of verbs and adverbs peak interest and allow the reader to
feel more connected to Herbert. They help the reader visualise the
actions and we can start to relate and sympathise as well as trust
Herbert. They also help enhance the meaning she’s trying to convey
and make it easier for her to get her point across, especially since
this is an important topic to her.
®
Copyright © 2022 Revision Guru | All rights reserved
The Explorers Daughter, Kari Herbert
Light & Colour:
The references to light and colour emphasises beaty and joy of the
whales. Describes the spray of the whales as ‘catching the light in a
spectral play of colour’. ‘Catching’ and ‘play’ establishes an idea of
a playful and active nature of the whales. The light is also described
as ‘butter-gold’ - quite rich imagery creating a sense of warmth and
softness which contrasts the harsh cool climate. Reflects the beaty of
nature and the beaty of the narwhal. Also, perhaps critical of
humans in general for ruining this beautiful planet, her included.
‘Mischievous tricks of shifting light’ in the last sentence also show how
magical the creatures are – demonstrates how the writer is in awe of
the whale and the magical theme links to the ‘kingdom’
Isolation:
She doesn’t want us to slate and be angry at the Innuits for killing
them because she forcefully reminds us throughout that this is a
necessity for them, and she even ends with the line that ‘hunting is
an absolute necessity’ showing that no matter how beautiful they
are they are killed for good reason and that it isn’t just some sport.
She says they don’t have ‘rifles, only one harpoon’ showing how
skilled these people must be and that if they miss, they will die or
starve for a long time because the narwhal is their only source of
food. Alliteration of b on ‘bombarded’ and ‘battering’ on line 57
shows the harshness and cruelty but she reinforces the fact it has to
be done. When she talks about how it’s vital for them to stay alive,
she speaks in a blunt, factual tone to help convey her point and she
helps reinforce the point the whales are needed, and the hunters
aren’t bad because she says the whales are ‘contributors’ which
dehumanises them making the hunters seem superior and more
important, which we are led to believe. ‘Only one ship’ shows how
spread from isolation they are
Use of Verbs & Adverbs:
The use of verbs and adverbs peak interest and allow the reader to
feel more connected to Herbert. They help the reader visualise the
actions and we can start to relate and sympathise as well as trust
Herbert. They also help enhance the meaning she’s trying to convey
and make it easier for her to get her point across, especially since
this is an important topic to her.
®
Copyright © 2022 Revision Guru | All rights reserved
