Analyzing Techniques and Events in Chapter 3 of "The Journey North
This discussion delves into the key techniques and events in Chapter 3 of the book "The Journey North." The chapter is analyzed for its use of pastiche, with a focus on evoking a Victorian Gothic style akin to Dickens' novels. The narrative journey is explored as a transition from positivity to negativity, employing contrast and pathetic fallacy to convey mood shifts. Quotes are examined to illustrate these tonal changes, offering insight into the author's skillful use of sensory language to create a vivid setting.
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Chapter 3 The Journey North Objectives: To analyse the key techniques and events of the chapter. Starter: What does the term pastiche mean? Challenge: What has the picture below got to do with the term pastiche ? Challenge: To apply our understanding of Hill s key techniques to create a useful plan for a typical exam question.
Pastiche This novel is a pastiche (imitation) of Victorian Gothic and is written in a very similar style to Dickens novels. Susan Hill effectively evokes the voice of Dickens and other writers using characteristic devices such as densely detailed text, evocative descriptions and language that is lavish and dense as any Victorian tale. The presence of steam locomotives (another element of a traditional Victorian ghost story) is introduced. They are typical in many of Dickens ghost stories.
Hill almost uses the train journey as a bridge between positivity and negativity Hill uses the technique of contrast to show this change in mood. TASK: Find quotes from the start of the journey that show a positive tone. The mood changes when Arthur changes trains at Crewe. TASK: Find quotes that demonstrate the contrasting change in mood.
Possible Answers Contrasting negativity after Crewe I began to be less comfortable, for here the air was a great deal colder and blowing in gusts from the east with an unpleasant rain upon its breath was feeling an unpleasant sensation of being isolated far from any human dwelling. The Introduction of isolation connotations of a human dwelling . Perhaps suggesting there may be dwellings of the supernatural? I ve come to the place of curious place- names, certainly. This morning, I heard of the Nine Lives Causeway, and Eel Marsh, tonight of Gapemouth Tunnel. Think about the connotations of these names Positive Start all was clangor and the cheerfulness of preparations for departure. settled down in great contentment. ate a pleasant dinner
Pathetic Fallacy Again in this chapter, Hill uses Pathetic fallacy as is typical to the genre. We get bad frets in this part of the world The cloud of cold, damp air taking the full force of the wind that came howling across it tuck ourselves in with our backs to the wind It seems that the weather is almost following Arthur. Explain how. What is the feeling that Hill is trying to evoke?
What is sensory language? Sensory language is language that uses the details from the five senses to add colour and depth to writing. It helps readers visualise and almost hear and taste the scene a writer is setting
Can you find any examples of sensory language in the chapter? ancient, comfortless carriages upholstered in the stiffest of leathercloth over unyielding horsehair, and with slatted wooden racks above. It smelled of cold, stale smuts and the windows were grimed, the floor unswept. Uncomfortable foreshadowing the uncomfortable issues that are to arise? The huffing of the engine, and the clanking of iron wheels upon iron wheels, and the occasional whistle, and the bursts of rain, like sprays of light artillery fire. The use of the simile conjures up deathly associations. There was a shriek from the train whistle. Personification could this be linked to the character of The Woman in Black and the conventions of the ghost story?
What is a conspiracy? A conspiracy is an agreement with another person or people, especially secretly, to do something wrong, evil, or illegal: They conspired to kill the king. A conspiracy of silence is perhaps an agreement to stay silent about an issue.
The conspiracy of silence Although you could argue that Bentley, young Arthur s Kipps boss, is vague in chapter 2, the true conspiracy of silence begins with Mr Daily in this chapter. Aye, frets. Sea-frets, sea- mists . One minute it s as clear as a June day, the next On discussing the funeral You ll be about the only one that is. Choose one the the three quotes and analyse how they help to demonstrate an emerging conspiracy of silence. I shuddered, all the more because of the openness of his gaze and the directness of his manner.
Typical Exam Question How does Hill build tension in chapter 3, The Journey North? Ideas: The use of contrast from the start of the journey to the end The use of pathetic fallacy, indicating that something bad may happen The use of sensory language the sounds of terror The start of the conspiracy of silence What does Mr Daily know? Why doesn t he tell Arthur? In pairs: Mind map a plan; what would you include? For each of the main points in the red box, find at least two key quotes that you could analyse.
Homework You have already been set homework see the blog. However, make sure that you are familiar with chapter 4, by tomorrow.
