Text Analysis for H is for Hawk Edexcel English Language A iGCSE

Technique: Direct Speech
In media res (in the middle of the action)
Effect on the reader:
both the direct speech and starting in the middle of the action give a feeling of action, urgency and excitement for the reader.

Quote: "We'll check the ring numbers against the Article 10's"
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Effect on reader

Technique: Irony or proleptic
Effect on the reader: The cautionary words about going home with the wrong birds are proleptic or looking to the future
This sets up a suspicion in the readers mind.
By the end of the article is clear that the wrong bird on paper is the right bird in real life to which there is a sense of irony.

Quote: "don't want you going home with the wrong bird"
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Effect on reader

Technique: Simple language/word choices
Effect on reader: Vividly convey the visual of the boxes.

Quote: "at their parcel tape handles, their doors of thin plywood and hinges of carefully tied string"
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Technique: short sentence
Effect on reader: emphasis the fact that the sight of humans would scare the hawk

Quote: "Like us"
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Technique: Series of short, incomplete sentences
Effect on the reader: creates a feeling of pace, tension excitement and potential danger as well as anticipation.

Quote: "Another hinge untied. Concentration. Infinite caution. Daylight irrigating the box"
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Effect on reader

Technique: Italics
Onomatopeia
simile
Effect on reader: Italicised thump makes the word seem more violent and forceful which communicates the nature of the bird in the box.
The word thump his onomatoeic. Sounding like the action of hitting. Adds to the sensory description and vivid picture for the reader.
The simile compares the sound to some one punching the box. This is both violent and suggests the bird wants to escape and doesn't like being caged.
All of these techniques contribute to a sense of foreboding, dread and point to the dangerous nature of what is in the box.

Quote: "A sudden thump of feathered shoulders and the box shook as if something had punched it"
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Technique: metaphor
Effect on the reader:creates the impression of light flooding into the box. This is effective because it is strange, mixing the imagery of light and water. It creates excitement and engages the reader

Quote: "Daylight irrigating the box"
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Effect on reader

Technique: Onomatopeia (clatter)
Listing of attributes all connected with and
Effect on reader: List and description of sounds adds to the jumbled succession of impressions. The speed and chaotic noisy nature of the moment is bought alive for the reader.

Quote: "and amidst a whirring , chaotic, clatter of wings and feet and talons and a high pitched twittering and it's all happening at once"
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Technique: Repetition
Switch to present tense
Effect on the reader:The change from past to present tense makes it seem to the reader that the events are happening now.
The repetition of enormous communicates the shock of the writer at the size and appearance of the hawk she has bought

Quote: "The man pulls an enormous, enormous hawk out of the box""
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Effect on reader

Technique: Alliteration
Creates the impression of the rhythmic movement and sound of the wings. The word beating alludes to the heartbeating or a stick beating a drum. Giving the reader the impression of rhythm and fierceness.

Quote: "the hawks wings barred and beating"
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Effect on reader

Techniques: metaphor
Effect on the reader: This description of the way her feathers and wings look and move creates a very clear picture in the readers mind. The use of the word cutting makes the hawk's feathers seem sharp like knives. This creates the impression that the hawk is fierce.

Quote: "the sharp fingers of her dark tipped primaries cutting the air"
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Technique: simile
Effect on reader: The bird's jagged feathers are compared to the spikes of a porcupine. This creates the impression the bird is fluffed up, trying to make itself look bigger. Porcupines rain and rattle their quills to defend against an enemy. This creates the impression with the reader that the hawk is scared of the humans and wants to protect itself.

Quote: "her feathers raised like the scattered quills of a fretful porcupine"
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Technique: Metaphor
Effect on reader: The bird is compared to a magical illusion or trick. It suggest the hawk isn't what the writer expected both in size and temperament.

Quote:"She is a conjuring trick"
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Technique: listing of proper nouns
Effect on reader:using a list of different things gives the impression the writer is unsure of what to make of the hawk.
The choice of nouns makes the bird seem malevolent (a fallen angel is a devil) and fierce (a gryphon is mythical creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion).

Quote: "a reptile, a fallen angel, a griffon."
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Technique: long sentence starting with a conjunction
Effect on reader: This sentence spans 5 lines and describes the scene from the hawks point of view. It shows the reader how amazing the bird's eyesight is and how much the bird loves freedom. Starting with 'but' and the long sentence create a contrast between the small places the hawk has previously lived in and the huge world that the hawk can see now.

Quote: "but now it this; she can see everything…"
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Technique: Change in writing style from the strange and magical madness of the hawk's first release to something more tender and even maternal.
Effect on the reader: In this paragraph she is imagining how the man would have looked after the bird from a chick and it moves her.
Use of the Adverb 'fiercely' shows how much she loves the man's care for the bird.
The writer has recently lost her father and is getting the hawk to find comfort and friendship through her grief.

Quote: "There was concern in his face. It was born of care." "All at once, i loved this man and fiercely."
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Technique: Alliteration
Effect on reader: Draws the readers attention and shows how strange the hawks brain is; also how on edge the hawk is.

Quote: " fizzing and fusing"
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Technique: One word sentence and paragraph
Italics
Exclamatory word
Effect on reader:When the writer finds out the bird is not the one meant for her, this use of a single word emphasises her disappointment and sadness. She has started to bond and identify with the bird, it's awkward, fearful behaviour reminding her of herself venturing through dealing with the loss of her father.

Quote: "Oh."
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Technique: Direct speech
Profanity ('Dear god')
Effect on reader:The exclamation shows how shocked she is by the older bird she is meant to adopt. How much she doesn't feel it is hers.

Quote: "And dear God it did"
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Technique: similie
metaphor
Effect on reader: The bird is first compared to a Victorian Melodrama. This shows the reader that the bird is experiencing intense and frightening emotions.
The metaphor of the madwoman attacking creates a vivid picture in the readers mind of a vicious female bird who is not only insane but actively wants to hurt others.

Quote: "She came out like a Victorian Melodrama: a sort of madwoman in the attack."
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Technique: metaphor
simile
Effect on reader: The choice of language in using gouts (a clot of blood) and 'pain' have negative connotations

Quote: "great awful gouts of sound like a thing in pain"
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Technique: Listing
Effect on reader: The listing of actions conveys that the deal is virtually done and creates tension because the writer knows she wants the other bird but doesn't know how to say it or even if she will have time or chance.

Quote: "the hood was on, the ring numbers checked, the bird back in the box…"
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Technique: emotive, descriptive word choice
Effect on reader: Use of the word barrage which is a military term meaning under constant attack. This shows how strongly the writer appeals to the man for him to swap the birds. She creates reason after reason (a barrage of reasons) and this shows the reader just desperate she is. This creates empathy for her with the reader.

Quote: "crazy barrage of incoherent appeals."
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Technique: Alliteration
Effect on reader: The alliteration of w and then e shows the reader how tired and bedraggled the writer is and how desperately she is trying to get the other bird which she connected with. The description is engaging and sympathetic. It also makes her seem a little like the birds. Tired, fearful, ruffled and not looking her best but also dependant on the man for the answer she needs. Much like the birds have depended on him for food and water and care.

Quote: "with wind wrecked hair and exhausted eyes"
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Technique: Allusion
Simile
Effect on reader: This alludes to a greek tragedy in which the wife kills their children as revenge on a faithless husband. This creates the feeling she is out of control. It engenders sympathy and compassion form the reader.

Quote: "as if she were in a seaside production of Medea"
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Technique: Cliff hanger. You don't know if the man will agree to the swap or not.
Effect on reader: Creates tension and anticipation.

Quote: "There was a moment of total silence."
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Anticipation, hope, fear, desperation, panic, wildness of nature, respect

What are the overall themes of H is for Hawk?

Technique: Repetition
Effect on reader: emphasise how strongly the write feels, builds a sense of panic and wrongness.

Quote: "this isn't my hawk"
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