Q4 - Beyond the Sky and the Earth: a Journey into Bhutan

At the beginning of the text,

Zeppa expresses her cynical views on the landscape and remoteness of Bhutan to engage the reader.

"again and again"

Repetition - conveys the repetitive nature of the surroundings.

"all and only mountains"

Hyperbole - conveys her total dismissal of the landscape she encounters.

"a giant child gathering earth in great armfuls"

Extended metaphor - indicates the clumsiness of the construction.

"thin and dry and very cold"

Tricolon of adjectives, culminating in "very cold" - may also reflect her emotions to the place.

Near the middle of the text,

Zeppa contrasts her experience with the other teachers and describes the surprising, western ideas which she found in Bhutan to engage the reader.

"ringing laughter"

Metaphor - conveys the volume and profusion of Lorna's pleasure; a contrast to Zeppa.

"all over Europe and northern Africa"

Hyperbole indicates Zeppa's inexperience when compared to the other's teachers, making her feel uncomfortable and outmatched.

"teenagers in acid washed jeans, Willie Nelson's greatest hits after the news in English on the Bhutan Broadcasting Service, a Rambo poster in a bar."

Pattern of conventionally western images demonstrates her surprise to the cultural domination which the western world has had.

"infiltration"

Metaphor of "infiltration" suggests that the west is destructive.

Towards the end of the text,

Zeppa engages the reader by shifting her perspective and expressing admiration for the people of Bhutan.

"best built race"

Superlative - highlights the extent of her praise.

"beautiful aristocratic faces with dark, almond-shaped eyes, high cheekbones and gentle smiles"

Tonal shift marked by list of positive attributes - conveys her changing attitude to more overt appreciation as she discusses the people; the abundance of beauty she sees in them.

"dignity, unselfconsciousness, good humour, grace"

Development from list of physical features to a list of inner virtues - demonstrates her increasing ability to see beyond the surface of Bhutan.

"but can find no single word to hold all of my impressions"

Inexpressibility topos - suggests the magnitude of her admiration defies linguistic expression.

At the end of the text,

Zeppa explores Bhutan's history to justify her respect for the country, engaging the reader.

"overrun by Europeans" and "handful of Westerners"

Contrast between images of Asia and Bhutan - highlights the protected and untouched nature of Bhutan; admiration.

"had his back slapped, his hair pulled, and his face rubbed with wet dough"

Humorous images of a childish fight suggest the embarrassment which Eden would have felt, highlighting Bhutan's impressive independence, signalling her praise for the country.

"I am full of admiration for this small country that has managed to look after itself so well."

Closing statement, structurally suggesting the concluding impression - demonstrates the journey from the beginning of the passage: from scepticism to admiration.