ENG2614 Assignment 3
Question 1. Read the prose passage (text 1) and poem (text 2) supplied below carefully,
and answer the questions that follow. Text 1 - Prose The curlews circled down, down,
down like revolving wheels. Crying and calling to their young hiding in the grass, which
peeped softly in return. The stream that passed near the nesting area splashed and
swished as it crawled over the small stones that lined its bed. A breeze lightly touched
the field and the reeds along the stream bowed and bobbed as if paying their respects.
Samantha watched this scene contemplatively as she sat on the fence at the bottom of
the field slowly swinging her legs. She had come to stay with her aunt who live in the
grim, grey farmhouse which seemed to squat and frown behind her. At twelve years old,
Samantha was slim with large soulful, sad eyes. Her hair, lion tawny, made her hazel eyes
appear amber. Strands of her hair drifted on the breeze touching her like cobwebs. She
stared at the stream which blinked and twinkled like sequin, like those on her mother’s
frivolous evening gown. Samantha had been unceremoniously left at her aunt’s whilst
her parents went away on holiday. She could still hear the ghastly gaiety of her mother’s
laugh as the two of them drove away. Her aunt had always made Samantha uneasy. She
had beady, bright eyes like a magpie, was twig thin, with long taloned hands with which
she, scratch, scratch, scratched at herself. At night Samantha was convinced it was her
aunt’s talons that squealed and scraped down the bedroom windowpane, a threat which
frightened her. It made sleep difficult. An early riser, Samantha could escape through the
kitchen door and head for the comfort of the field. Sitting in today’s soft sunlight
provided Samantha with a sense of peace and turning her head she could see the trees
on the far end of the field that lay outside of the fence. These trees were looking at her, of
this Samantha was convinced, like protective parents.
Text 1 Analysis
1. How does the setting of the prose passage contribute to the overall mood?
The setting of the prose passage, described in rich, sensory details, creates a mood of serene
contemplation mixed with underlying unease. The peaceful elements, such as the circling
curlews, the splashing stream, and the gently bowing reeds, contribute to a tranquil, almost
idyllic atmosphere. However, this tranquility is juxtaposed with the unsettling presence of
Samantha's aunt and the grim farmhouse, adding a layer of tension and discomfort. This duality
mirrors Samantha's inner conflict between finding solace in nature and feeling distressed by her
aunt's eerie behavior.
2. Describe the character of Samantha based on the passage.
, Samantha is depicted as a contemplative and sensitive twelve-year-old girl. She is slim with
large, soulful eyes that reflect her sadness and depth of thought. Her physical description, with
lion-tawny hair and hazel eyes, highlights her distinctiveness and connection to nature.
Samantha's reflective nature is evident as she draws parallels between the natural scene before
her and her personal experiences, such as comparing the stream's twinkling to her mother's
sequin gown. Her discomfort with her aunt and the farmhouse underscores her vulnerability and
the tension she feels in her current environment.
3. What literary devices are used in the passage to enhance the narrative? Provide
examples.
Several literary devices enhance the narrative:
● Imagery: Vivid descriptions create a strong sense of place and mood. For example, "the
stream which blinked and twinkled like sequin" and "strands of her hair drifted on the
breeze touching her like cobwebs" provide visual and tactile imagery.
● Simile: Comparisons such as "down, down, down like revolving wheels" and "her beady,
bright eyes like a magpie" help readers visualize and understand the characters and
setting more vividly.
● Personification: The stream "splashed and swished," and the trees "looking at her"
personify elements of nature, contributing to the sense that the environment is alive and
interacting with Samantha.
● Alliteration: Phrases like "grim, grey farmhouse" and "scratch, scratch, scratched"
create a rhythmic quality and emphasize the mood and character traits.
4. How does the author contrast the characters of Samantha and her aunt?
The author contrasts Samantha and her aunt through their descriptions and actions. Samantha
is portrayed as gentle, reflective, and connected to nature, while her aunt is described with
sharp, harsh imagery. The aunt's "beady, bright eyes like a magpie" and "long taloned hands"
give her a predatory, almost menacing quality. This stark contrast highlights Samantha's
innocence and vulnerability against her aunt's unsettling and threatening presence.
5. What themes are explored in this prose passage?
The passage explores themes of isolation, nature versus nurture, and the tension between
safety and fear. Samantha's isolation is evident in her contemplative solitude and her parents'
absence. Nature serves as a refuge for her, providing peace and a sense of protection, in
contrast to the grim and frightening presence of her aunt. The tension between the safety of the
natural environment and the fear evoked by her aunt underscores Samantha's inner conflict and
search for comfort.
Text 2 - Poetry The Laughter Forecast by Sue Cowling Today will be humorous With some
giggly patches, Scattered outbreaks of chuckling in the south And smiles spreading from
the east later, Widespread chortling Increasing to gale-force guffaws towards evening.
The outlook for tomorrow Is hysterical. 1. Identify 5 literary devices from the above prose
