Review of 'Explorer's Daughter' by Kari Herbert

A collection of flashcards reviewing key concepts and themes from the lecture on 'Explorer's Daughter' by Curry Herbert.

What creates tension and anticipation in the opening of 'Explorer's Daughter'?

The initial opening complex sentence about the narwhal being spotted after the hunters returned.

How does the reader feel about the opening sentence

Reader is interested on what is going to happen next

Which quote emphasizes the beauty of the narwhal

‘plumes of spray’

What literary device emphasizes the beauty of the narwhal?

Hyperbole is used to emphasise the beauty and how majestic the narwhal appear. Also educational for reader

What metaphor is used to describe the narwhal's surroundings?

'Glittering kingdom' emphasises the beauty of the narwhal and in the Arctic area

What does the metaphor’ glittering kingdom’ do to the reader

Beautiful language entices the reader but is also quite idyllic

What semantic field does 'butter gold' create in the text?

Colourful imagery creates a semantic field of colour, suggesting an idyllic image.

How does ‘temperate waters’ affect the reader's perception?

Personification of water makes the surroundings vivid and filled with life.

What adjective emphasizes the narwhal's importance in the Arctic ecosystem?

The adjective 'essential' highlights the narwhal's importance in the ecosystem of the Arctic

What is the significance of ‘minerals and vitamins, vegetables or fruit’ in the text?

Semantic field of nutrition makes the sentence relatable and emphasises the narwhal's significance in terms of being consumed and for survival in the Arctic.

How does parenthesis contribute to the reader's understanding of the narwhal?

It explains the use of ivory tusks, enhancing knowledge and intrigue of readers

What does the simple sentence 'every hunter was on the water' accomplish?

It focuses the reader's attention on the hunters, building tension.

What is the technique of ‘vast waterborne game’ and what does it convey?

The simile conveys how this hunt is like a game, but in reality it isn’t but it’s to do with life or death

What feeling does 'my heart leapt for both hunter and narwhal' evoke?

It demonstrates the author's conflicted emotions about both the hunter and the narwhal. Attempting to be on both sides

What do the phrases 'rifle' ‘only one harpoon’ indicate about the hunting activity?

Semantic field of weapons drives the point of the violent and dangerous nature of narwhal hunting.

What does ‘How can you possibly seal’ about eating seal illustrate?

Rhetorical question conveys judgment from outsiders who may not understand the hunters' reality. Also how people can be self-righteous about the matter

How do the nouns 'hunter gatherers' and 'fishermen' reflect the community's lifestyle?

They illustrate the remote and simplistic nature of the community and the purposeful necessity of hunting.

What realization does Herbert have regarding the hunting community?(hunting is an absolute necessity for Thule)

Declarative sentence demonstrates Herbert realising the blunt reality of life in the arctic. They can't afford to be too sentimental about killing creatures as their survival depends on it.