Never Let Me Go
The homodiegetic narrator of the novel
Kathy H.
They call themselves "a hard-headed, practical man of business"
Mr. Birling
This poem portrays London as a city filled with “marks of weakness, marks of woe.”
'London'
This skill involves working out ideas and feelings that the writer hints at but never states directly.
Inference
This technique repeats a word or phrase at the beginning of multiple lines or clauses to create emphasis, rhythm, or emotional intensity.
anaphora
The lost corner of England
Norfolk
Refers to Eva Smith as "a girl of that sort"
Mrs. Birling
This poem contrasts the vibrant life of the Caribbean with an English coastline, brought together by a violent storm.
This skill means you must give evidence, identify techniques and explain effect — not just describe what happens.
Analysis
This structural device places two contrasting ideas, images, or settings side by side to highlight their differences.
juxtaposition
The singer of 'Never Let Me Go'
Judy Bridgewater
They say "But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people"
Sheila Birling
This poem describes “wooden farmhouses, old, in need of paint,” hinting at a modest rural upbringing.
'Where I Come From'
When you are asked to judge how effective or convincing a text is, you are being tested on this reading skill.
Evaluation
A character who contrasts with another character, often the protagonist, to highlight particular qualities.
foil
A symbol of mortality, highlighting the passage of time and the inevitability of loss that comes with it.
The boat
They are referred to as "the wonderful fairy prince"
Gerald Croft
In this poem, a speaker revisits a hill where a small moment of young love became a lifelong memory.
'At Castle Boterel'
This style of writing presents a discussion of different viewpoints, often weighing arguments before reaching a conclusion.
Discursive
A figure of speech where part of something represents the whole, or vice versa.
synecdoche
"I just waited a bit, then turned back to the car, to drive off to wherever it was I was supposed to be."
The final stage direction of the play
"As they stare guiltily and dumbfounded, the curtain falls."
This poem imagines mountains as “marvellous prowlers” and ends with a “bandolier of light” across a peak.
'Below the Green Corrie'
This type of writing may begin in media res to engage the reader.
Narrative
In a story, a character experiences a sudden realization about their true nature or the reality of their situation, often leading to a change in their behavior.
anagnorisis