Summary
Summary Edexcel IGCSE English Language: 'Game of Polo with a Headless Goat' - GRADE 9 ACHIEVED - Notes and analysis
- identification of key quotes - literary terms used - key analysis - grade 9 achieved
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A Game of Polo with a Headless Goat- Emma Levine = writing about a personal experience, travelling to Pakistan and
experiencing the culture there
- Writing to inform an audience and possibly highlight divide between Pakistan and the
Western world
- First person narrative and journalistic approach immerses the reader in the events as
they unfold
- In line with George Alagiah piece, both are recounting their experiences in less privileged
parts of the world
★ Title = attention grabbing, highlighting an unusual and most likely unknown cultural
practice to draw reader in
○ Juxtaposition - Polo = sophisticated + refined connotations
○ Headless Goat = barbaric and repulsive
■ Combination of two may pique a reader’s interest
“We drove off”
➔ Immediate, fast paced start reflects the wild and exciting nature of race
◆ Experience is new to reader and writer, so Levine recounts the events in first
person narrative style to capture the initial reactions of both her and the audience
“Wacky Races”
➔ Creates sense of adventure
◆ Reference to a kids cartoon show emphasises almost how unbelievable and
slightly ridiculous the situation is
● + the chaos and disorder of the event, like in a cartoon
● Also makes it relatable for a western culture reader
“We’ll open the car boot, you climb inside”
➔ Something that would be considered dangerous and illegal in Western culture, is fun and
exciting in Pakistan
◆ Highlights the divide in the different distinctions between fun and danger so would
most likely be shocking to the reader
“Two lads...were suddenly fired up with enthusiasm”
➔ Informal language “lads” shows a personal connection despite only just meeting them
◆ Positive, colloquial way of presenting foreign people as friendly and approachable
● Author is clearly very open minded towards other cultures and may be
using her descriptions of the people there as a way of encouraging others
to think the same way
➔ The fact that “The lads” are now suddenly interested in something they had no interest in
before shows their eagerness and willingness to please Levine + enthusiasm to get this
opportunity
◆ Forces both Levine + reader to think about what’s considered an exciting
opportunity and event in Pakistan vs Western culture
● In Pakistan, the chance to show a foreigner their way of life is a thrilling
experience
, ● Also in some way forces both audiences (Levine + reader) to fully
participate in the event with an open mind since people are going out of
their way to provide them with a chance to spectate
➔ Fact that the lads were “fired up with enthusiasm” suggests an energetic and
unpredictable nature, perhaps mirroring and hinting at that of the race to come
“We waited for eternity”
➔ Hyperbole - makes the situation more exciting as it builds expectation + allows the reader
to be immersed in the writer’s excitement + anticipation
◆ Highlights her eagerness and impatience, waiting for the race to begin
“The only action was a villager….gazed around at us”
➔ Element of humour - not quite the thrill + excitement of a race she was hoping to see
◆ Fact that the villager “gazed around” at them underlines fact that a western film
crew grabs attention from locals - clash of culture
● What would be considered normal in western society, is a spectacle in
Pakistan
● Slightly ironic as film crew are there to capture an event which would be
considered out of place and shocking where they come from but entirely
normal in this culture
➔ Visual humour creates break in the suspense + anticipation of race, lightens tone
“Are they coming?”
➔ Builds tension - anticipation captivates reader
◆ Intentionally creating long build up to race in order to set an eager and
suspenseful scene which makes the event itself more dramatic + exciting
“Coming, coming”
➔ Lack of organisation + haste - laid back attitude is culturally unfamiliar to Emma Levine +
reader who are most likely used to planned and coordinated events
◆ Eg. a formula 1 race which has an exact start and finish time with organised
planning
➔ Lack of arrangement almost makes event seem comical (which it could be to a foreign
audience who have never heard of this sport)
◆ However, ending riot shows it’s far from comical
“Roaring up in their wake
➔ Olfactory language which builds excitement and mounts tension
➔ Onomatopoeia - presents an almost animalistic crowd desperate to get in the middle of
the race, shows it’s popularity
◆ Again, shows cultural divide - lack of rules at an event like this would be
uncommon in Emma Levine’s society
● And shows their more simplistic ideas of fun , different to what would be
considered an exciting event in Western culture
“Yaqoob revved up the engine”
➔ Uncommon dame in Western society again highlights the divide between the two cultures
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