02 Look In detail at this extract from lines 5 to 14 of the Source: Her name was Mrs. Pratchett. She was a small skinny old hag with a moustacho on her upper lip and a mouth as sour as a green gooseback. She never smiled. She never wetcomed us when wo went in, and the only times she spoke were when she sald things like. 'Tm watchin' you so koep ver Ihlovin' fingers off them chocolatosl' Or 'I don't want you'in'e0. just to look around Eithor you (orks out or you gets out: But by far the most loathsome thing about Mrs. Pratchott was the fith that clung around her. Her apron was grey and greasy. Her blouse had bits of breakfast all over it, toast-crumbsand tea stains and splotches of dried egg-yolk. It was her hands, however, that disturbed us most. They were disgusting. They were black with dirt and grime. They looked as though they had been putting lumps of coal on the fire all day long. How does the writer use language here to describe Mrs. Pratchett? You could Include the writer's choice of: - words and phrases - language features and techniques - sentence forms. [8 marks]

Question

UpStudy AI · Accepted Answer

In this extract, the writer employs a variety of language techniques to create a vivid and unflattering portrayal of Mrs. Pratchett. Here’s a detailed analysis of how language is used to describe her:

1. **Word Choice**: The writer uses strong, negative adjectives and nouns to convey Mrs. Pratchett's unpleasantness. Words like "small," "skinny," "hag," and "sour" evoke a sense of distaste. The term "hag" suggests not only her physical appearance but also a sense of malevolence. The phrase "mouth as sour as a green gooseback" employs a simile that vividly illustrates her unpleasant demeanor, suggesting that her very presence is off-putting.

2. **Imagery**: The description of her physical attributes creates a strong visual image. Phrases like "moustacho on her upper lip" and "grey and greasy" paint a clear picture of her unkempt appearance. The imagery of her blouse with "bits of breakfast all over it" and "splotches of dried egg-yolk" further emphasizes her lack of hygiene and care for her appearance, contributing to the overall negative impression.

3. **Dialogue**: The snippets of dialogue attributed to Mrs. Pratchett, such as "I'm watchin' you so keep your lovin' fingers off them chocolates!" and "I don't want you in here just to look around," reflect her unfriendly and threatening demeanor. The use of colloquial language ("I'm watchin' you") adds to her character as someone who is unrefined and harsh, reinforcing the idea that she is not welcoming.

4. **Sentence Structure**: The writer uses a mix of short, abrupt sentences and longer descriptive phrases. For example, the sentence "She never smiled" is short and blunt, emphasizing her lack of warmth. In contrast, the longer sentences that describe her appearance and the state of her hands create a more detailed and immersive picture, allowing the reader to visualize her repulsiveness.

5. **Repetition**: The repetition of negative traits, such as her lack of smiles and welcoming behavior, reinforces the idea that Mrs. Pratchett is consistently unpleasant. The phrase "she never" is used multiple times, which emphasizes her unfriendliness and sets a tone of dread for the characters interacting with her.

6. **Sensory Language**: The description of her hands as "black with dirt and grime" appeals to the sense of touch and sight, making the reader almost feel the disgust that the characters experience. This sensory detail enhances the overall negative portrayal of Mrs. Pratchett.

7. **Connotation**: The choice of words like "loathsome" and "disgusting" carries strong negative connotations, which shape the reader's perception of Mrs. Pratchett as a character to be feared or avoided.

In summary, the writer effectively uses a combination of vivid imagery, negative word choice, dialogue, varied sentence structure, and sensory details to create a powerful and unflattering description of Mrs. Pratchett. This portrayal not only establishes her character but also sets the tone for the interactions that follow.
The writer uses strong, negative words and vivid descriptions to make Mrs. Pratchett seem unattractive and unpleasant. They describe her as a small, skinny old woman with an unsmiling, sour face and messy clothing. The writer also includes unkind things she says and details about her dirty hands to show how much the characters dislike her.

Upstudy AI Solution

Answer

Solution

The Deep Dive

Related Questions

Latest English Questions