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In lines 24–38, how does the writer use language and structure to show the narrator's thoughts and feelings about the Count? Support your views with reference to the text. - Edexcel - GCSE English Language - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 3
In lines 24–38, how does the writer use language and structure to show the narrator's thoughts and feelings about the Count? Support your views with reference to th... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In lines 24–38, how does the writer use language and structure to show the narrator's thoughts and feelings about the Count? Support your views with reference to the text. - Edexcel - GCSE English Language - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Language Analysis
Answer
The writer uses strong abstract nouns such as 'repulsion' and 'terror' to convey the narrator's immediate feelings of horror towards the Count. These powerful words emphasize the emotional impact the Count has on the narrator.
Phrases like 'I knew the man' indicate a sense of certainty about the Count's identity, showing that the narrator is deeply affected. The use of simple connectives like 'But' signals an immediate shift in feelings, further illustrating the narrator's tumultuous emotional state.
Additionally, there is an allusion to hell when the Count is described as 'descending into that dreadful abyss.' This metaphor enhances the perception of the Count as menacing and further reflects the narrator's dread.
Similes such as 'like great wings' and 'just as a lizard moves along a wall' suggest that the Count's presence is both supernatural and unsettling, evoking a sense of fear and unease.
The numerous phrases questioning the narrator's certainty, such as 'I could not believe my eyes' and 'some trick of the moonlight,' depict his disbelief and increasing paranoia, further emphasizing his fraught emotional state.
Step 2
Structure Analysis
Answer
The structure of this section begins with mild amusement but quickly escalates to a sense of absolute terror. The first paragraph describes the Count in a general sense, while the second shifts to a more personal and subjective experience.
The writer employs sentence variety for impact, where earlier complex sentences heighten tension. For instance, the simple sentence, 'At first I could not believe my eyes,' creates a stark contrast that underscores the narrator's shock.
Repetition is used effectively, particularly in phrases expressing disbelief regarding what the narrator perceives – phrases like 'face only' and 'some trick of the moonlight, some weird effect of shadow' draw attention to his confused state of mind.
The question, 'What manner of man...?', bears greater emphasis due to its placement at the start of a new paragraph, highlighting the narrator's rising anxiety.
Lastly, the reflective moments presented allow the reader to delve into the narrator's thought process, showcasing his disbelief and fractured state as he grapples with the terrifying realization of the Count's true nature.