10 mark question

• To a spinster in the village (contrast isolation) 


  Contrasting characters are use to show that everyone should be allowed to be different, highlighting the restrictiveness of small minded Communities
• It certainly singled him out. The door was as red as the winters sun in the sky (symbolism isolation)


  -the red door is symbolic of individualism, offering Murdo a literal and metaphorical route to being himself

  -art is used to show the possibilities of the imagination/positive impact of creativity and reflects Murdos poetic side of him
• it said ’please let me live my own life‘


  Used to represent differences in restrictive communities and the possibility of escape and in a way for Murdo to finally be free from caring if he’s being judged and him not caring if he’s different from the others and is going to be himself
• The daylight was hooded by thick yellows curtains which were drawn across the window 


  -this shows the desperate setting and the atmosphere. Brocken plates and a dog looking for crumbs tell us they are poor and their house is barren of luxuries

  -“hooded” we are given a description of the sons surrounding. It’s dark and shaded added to the gloomy atmosphere. This description relates to the sons gloomy and dull life
• His mind in a turmoil of hate (tension)

  It seems that the moment when he might have acted on his ‘turmoil of hate‘ has passed. They share the same ‘bitter smile‘ they’re locked in this interminable struggl. It takes us back to earlier when john asked her to tell him to go get a job and all the time he knew she would never say and she knew that he would never take any action.
• The burst venomously towards him… bitter barbs (sympathy) 


  “Burst“ sudden and sharp ‘venomously‘ with malice to spite. The idea of be on and poison is carried on with alliteration of bitter barbs that sometimes go through him, hurting him, pain spreading because of the venom from her harsh words and criticism. Lots of references to how her words sting. Making us feeel sympathetic towards him having to endure this abuse from his mother
• They could hunt him out of the village (sympathy tension) 


  -stifling and restrictive situations with Murdo Struggles to break free from, creates sympathy towards Characters

  —the rigid structure of rural communities isolates certain character, creating sympathy towards them

  -tension is often used to highlight to the reader the damaging and unsettling effects of conflict. unpleasant and unwelcoming communities are portrayed, building tension
• Why are sitting there like a dummy, you silly fool!(sympathy tension contrast) 


  She is getting angry because he is no longer responding to her. Even thought she’s screaming at him, he takes no notice. Her tone is very harsh. She’s taking her frustration Out on her son. Trying to provoke him, on purpose. picking a fighting creating this toxic home from him making us feel sympathy for him having to deal with this toxicity.
• Murdo who ever in his life done anything unusual(contrast) 


  He just wanted to fit in so he never stayed from what’s expected and perceived as normal in the village
• If he were a true villager would he like the door so much?


  End his stories with movements of epiphany for a characters to show the possibilities that their lives often could have

  -tension builds towards an effective conclusion to underline the impact that conflict can have
• Then he walked to the door, opened it and stood listening to the rain


  Dramatic climax: the Son doesn’t act to change things making it frustrating for reader. Hope is introduced again as we don’t know what happens next but we can assume that leaves

  -Isolation(mentally and physically) can result in psychological damage and suffering