Component Two Reading John Buchan Arthur Conan Doyle
Component Two: Reading John Buchan / Arthur Conan Doyle
Question One • Look again at lines 1 – 10. • a) Identify one phrase from these lines which shows the condition of the mill building he was hiding in. [1] • b) What does this show about the building? • c) The man in Text 1 is planning his escape. [1] Give two examples from this passage that show he is thinking about how to escape. [2]
Either of the phrases in red would be acceptable for question 1 a 1 b: This shows the building is abandoned / in a bad way / falling down / dangerous The mill had been long out of use. The ladders were rotten with age, and in the loft the rats had gnawed great holes in the floor. I looked out of the window and saw a fog still hanging over the house and smoke escaping from an upper window. Please God I had set the place on fire, for I could hear confused cries coming from the other side. But I had no time to linger, since this mill was obviously a bad hiding-place. Anyone looking for me would naturally follow the stream, and I made certain the search would begin as soon as they found that my body was not in the storeroom. From another window I saw that on the far side of the mill stood an old stone dovecot. If I could get there without leaving tracks I might find a hiding-place, for I argued that my enemies, if they thought I could move, would conclude I had made for open country, and would go seeking me on the moor. Any two of the three points highlighted in purple would be acceptable for 1 c
Become the examiner • Look again at the extract. • In pairs, come up with a one or two mark question that would be an acceptable examination task. • What kind of question do you need to ask?
Question Two • Look again at lines 11 – 20. • How does John Buchan use language and structure to describe the difficulties of the man’s escape? • You should use relevant subject terminology to support your answer. What do we mean by this?
I crawled down the broken ladder, scattering dirt behind me to cover my footsteps. I did the same on the mill floor, and on the threshold where the door hung on broken hinges. Peeping out, I saw that between me and the dovecot was a piece of bare cobbled ground, where no footmarks would show. Also it was mercifully hid by the mill buildings from any view from the house. I slipped across the space, got to the back of the dovecot and prospected a way of ascent. That was one of the hardest jobs I ever took on. My shoulder and arm ached like hell, and I was so sick and giddy that I was always on the verge of falling. But I managed it somehow. By the use of out-jutting stones and gaps in the masonry and a tough ivy root I got to the top in the end. There was a little parapet behind which I found space to lie down. Make sure you look for both LANGUAGE and STRUCTURE points
I crawled down the broken ladder, scattering dirt behind me to cover my footsteps. I did the same on the mill floor, and on the threshold where the door hung on broken hinges. Peeping out, I saw that between me and the dovecot was a piece of bare cobbled ground, where no footmarks would show. Also it was mercifully hid by the mill buildings from any view from the house. I slipped across the space, got to the back of the dovecot and prospected a way of ascent. That was one of the hardest jobs I ever took on. My shoulder and arm ached like hell, and I was so sick and giddy that I was always on the verge of falling. But I managed it somehow. By the use of out-jutting stones and gaps in the masonry and a tough ivy root I got to the top in the end. There was a little parapet behind which I found space to lie down. Text begins with the verb ‘crawled’ and adjective ‘broken’ to suggest the difficulty of simply going down the ladder Methodical approach suggested by ‘I did the same…and’ – he can’t take any chances Repetition of ‘broken’ – this time the door The verb ‘peeping’ shows he is afraid to look outside The first paragraph ends in an optimistic way – but this is then contrasted with the start of the next Short sentence coupled with the superlative ‘hardest’ Graphic description of his physical agony and suffering He has to ‘lie down’ at the end
Think of 3 ways to answer the question • The writer describes the difficulties of the man’s escape by… • 1 – Reminding us that the mill is broken down and dangerous • 2 – Showing that it took a long time for him to get out • 3 – Highlighting his physical pain and exhaustion • For each of these, try to have a language point, and a structure one.
Ideas Point 1 – Reminding us that the mill is broken down and dangerous 2 – Showing that it took a long time for him to get out 3 – Highlighting his physical pain and exhaustion Language Structure
Ideas Point Language Structure 1 – Reminding us that the mill The use of the adjective is broken down and ‘broken’ dangerous This is repeated and is the first thing he mentions 2 – Showing that it took a long time for him to get out ‘Peeping out’ – he is scared and doesn’t want to be seen The description of him leaving the mill takes several sentences, and is very methodical to show careful he needs to be 3 – Highlighting his physical pain and exhaustion ‘ached like hell’; ‘sick and giddy’ Paragraph brings him down to earth as it was ‘one of the hardest jobs’ which contrasts with earlier optimism
Now get these into an answer The writer describes the difficulties of the man’s escape as he highlights the poor condition of the mill. The adjective ‘broken’ is used to describe both the ladder and the door, showing that the building could collapse at any moment. This is the first thing he mentions even before he leaves the mill. In addition, the writer describes the fact it took a long time to get out of the building. The verb ‘peeping’ is used to explain how the man has to look out to make sure he is not seen. His preparations are described in methodical detail over several sentences, describing how he ‘did the same’ when explaining how he scattered dirt around to cover his tracks– clearly he is not taking any chances. Finally, the writer highlights his physical pain and exhaustion. He is aching ‘like hell’ (a dramatic comparison), and feeling ‘sick and giddy’. The optimism felt on line 15 is punctured by the short opening sentence of the next paragraph, emphasised by the superlative ‘hardest’. At the end he has to ‘lie down’, again describing his physical difficulties.
Question Three – New Text! • Look again at lines 1 – 13. • Explore how the writer presents the discovery of the man they were hunting. • Support your ideas by referring to the language and structure of this section, using relevant subject terminology.
A boulder of granite concealed our approach, and crouching behind it we gazed over it at the signal light. It was strange to see this single candle burning there in the middle of the moor, with no sign of life near it--just the one straight yellow flame and the gleam of the rock on each side of it. "What shall we do now? " whispered Sir Henry. "Wait here. He must be near his light. Let us see if we can get a glimpse of him. " The words were hardly out of my mouth when we both saw him. Over the rocks, in the crevice of which the candle burned, there was thrust out an evil yellow face, a terrible animal face, all seamed and scored with vile passions. Foul with mire, with a bristling beard, and hung with matted hair, it might well have belonged to one of those old savages who dwelt in the burrows on the hillsides. The light beneath him was reflected in his small, cunning eyes which peered fiercely to right and left through the darkness like a crafty and savage animal who has heard the steps of the hunters.
A boulder of granite concealed our approach, and crouching behind it we gazed over it at the signal light. It was strange to see this single candle burning there in the middle of the moor, with no sign of life near it--just the one straight yellow flame and the gleam of the rock on each side of it. "What shall we do now? " whispered Sir Henry. "Wait here. He must be near his light. Let us see if we can get a glimpse of him. " The words were hardly out of my mouth when we both saw him. Over the rocks, in the crevice of which the candle burned, there was thrust out an evil yellow face, a terrible animal face, all seamed and scored with vile passions. Foul with mire, with a bristling beard, and hung with matted hair, it might well have belonged to one of those old savages who dwelt in the burrows on the hillsides. The light beneath him was reflected in his small, cunning eyes which peered fiercely to right and left through the darkness like a crafty and savage animal who has heard the steps of the hunters.
Now answer the question • Come up with an overview to start with – an overall impression • Eg “In this passage, the man they are seeking is presented like a savage animal being pursued by hunters” • Now think of some answers to the question: • • • He is hiding in the darkness – tension created from the start The use of light in the passage – later ‘reflected’ in the man’s eyes Watson and Sir Henry’s nervous dialogue The description of the man as ‘evil’ – lengthy focus on his unpleasant appearance Use of animal imagery and repletion of the adjective ‘savage’ Lack of movement in the extract as a whole, but the stillness creates more tension
Point Language Structure He is hiding in the darkness– tension created from the start ‘Concealed our approach’ – the setting is working with them indicated by the verb ‘concealed’ Tension created from the start The use of light in the passage – later ‘reflected’ in the man’s eyes ‘single candle’; ‘one straight yellow flame’; ‘reflected in his small, cunning eyes’ Light (or lack of it) is mentioned throughout Watson and Sir Henry’s nervous Sir Henry has to ‘whisper’; they dialogue seem desperate (’get a glimpse’) Very little speech again highlighting the darkness and confusion The description of the man as ‘evil’ – lengthy focus on his unpleasant appearance Animal imagery, and adjectives such as ‘foul’; ‘vile’; ‘evil’; ‘terrible’ Lengthy description - the man seems to be still whilst Watson regards him Use of animal imagery and repetition of the adjective ‘savage’ Use of simile – ‘like a crafty and savage animal’; ‘small cunning eyes’ Ends with the reference to ‘hunters’ – almost creates sympathy at the close of the paragraph Lack of movement in the extract Lots of movement words but as a whole, but the stillness little actual movement – all men creates more tension seem frozen with fear (thrust / Throughout the whole passage – the only action is the Watson and Sir Henry’s brief dialogue
PETER • In this passage, the discovery of the man is very tense, as he is hiding in the darkness. They are able to creep up on him, as the boulder ‘concealed our approach’ – this verb suggests the setting was working with them to help them find the criminal. In addition, they are described as ‘crouching’ and overall the beginning of the search shows how Watson and Sir Henry are behaving in a furtive and secretive manner. • • In addition… Furthermore… Next… Finally
Look carefully at the question prompt: ‘exciting’ and ‘frightening’ are different. For who? Q 4: Comparison • ‘In these texts a hunt for a person is presented as an exciting and frightening experience’ • How far do you agree with this statement? • In your answer you should: Personal response required • Discuss the characters’ different experiences of the hunt • Explain what you find exciting or frightening about their experience • Compare the ways the writers present the characters’ experience of the hunt
Text 1 The narrator is the one being hunted The pursuers are presented as violent He is frightened of being discovered He falls asleep which makes him vulnerable; wakes up with the ‘sun’ The danger gets more intense as he notices the men had ‘pistols’ He can only hear them as they ransack the mill; he is still and hidden Tension relieved at the end as he is not discovered Text 2 The narrator is the one hunting The criminal is presented as both a savage beast and a hunted animal The darkness adds to the fear, both for the hunters and the man The moon allows them a glimpse of the man running away Watson shows mercy as he doesn’t fire at an unarmed man He escapes at the end as he can run faster
Remember – 6 marks for comparison • • Both Similarly Like In the same way • • Whereas Unlike Differently By contrast You also need to provide a personal response: phrases such as ‘I think. . ’; ‘This makes me think…’; ‘I find this exciting because…’; ‘I agree with the statement to a certain extent…’ etc
Writing Tasks: either / or • The Hunt • Use this as the title for a story. • In your writing you should: • Choose a clear viewpoint • Describe the setting • Explore your characters’ thoughts and feelings about the hunt • Write about a time you found yourself in strange surroundings • You could write about: • Things that made the biggest impression on you • How the experience affected your thoughts and feelings • The way you feel about that experience now
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