Analysing the text Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan by Jamie Zeppa

Transcription

1 Read the extract from Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan, by Jamie Zeppa Zeppa describes the place, people and history of Bhutan in order to convey her thoughts and feelings about the country. Use the following table to briefly explain what each quote reveals about her feelings. Number 4 in each box has been left for you to find your own quote and analysis. Task one Connotes feelings of Landscape 1. Mountains all around rolling into valleys, again and again (line1) 2. a giant child gathering earth in great armfuls (line 4) 3. I watch mountains rise to meet the moon (line 10) She is in awe of the expanse of her surroundings Page 1 of 9

2 Connotes feelings of Town 1. it took five different flights over four days to get here (line 8) 2. One-storied shops with wooden-shuttered windows open onto the street. (line 34) 3. Thimphu is actually new (line 46) Shows how remote the capital city is from her home country People 1. Blue-suited policemen using incomprehensible but graceful hand gestures (line 31) 2. they have beautiful, aristocratic faces (line 56) 3. I search for the right word to describe the people, the quality that impresses me most (lines 66-67) Page 2 of 9

3 Connotes feelings of History 1. the area is thought to have been long inhabited before that (line 73) 2. earlier names for Bhutan are just as beautiful Lotus grove of the Gods (line 80) 3. Bhutan s preservation of its independence was remarkable (line 96) Page 3 of 9

4 Task two In pairs, list all of the Bhutanese vocabulary including place names used in the extract. Write the translation for each word. What does the use of these Bhutanese words add to the impression Zeppa gives of this country? Bhutanese word Translation What does this add to our impression of the country? Thimphu Druk Sherig Hotel Dzong Capital of Bhutan Name of the hotel Page 4 of 9

5 Task three Understanding the structure of the extract. Jamie Zeppa structures her memoir in a particular way. Look at the line references below. Read back through those paragraphs and: summarise what each part is about comment on what each section is doing in terms of reflecting the writer s thoughts about the country. 1-6 Abstract introduction to its main geographical feature. Starts with a sense of being blinded by the strangeness of it all to grab the reader s interest. Makes us feel as overwhelmed as she is Page 5 of 9

6 end Look again at the first and last paragraphs in particular. Why do you think she opens and closes the extract in this way? 2. The whole purpose of this extract is to make us full of admiration for the country and people of Bhutan. Write a paragraph responding to this comment. Task: How does the writer use language and structure to convey her thoughts and feelings about Bhutan? You should support your answer with close reference to the passage, including brief quotations. Use the following to help you structure your answer: Integrate at least eight brief quotations into the analysis. Comment on the ways that language shapes her thoughts and feelings. Comment on the structure of the extract. Use key words: connotes, perspective, point of view, facts, feelings, thoughts. Use key linguistic and structural terms: metaphor visual imagery adjectives facts first person present tense temporal markers Bhutanese vocab Page 6 of 9

7 Suggested answers Task one Landscape Town People 1. Mountains all around rolling into valleys, again and again (line 1) 2. a giant child gathering earth in great armfuls (line 4) 3. I watch mountains rise to meet the moon (line 10) 1. it took five different flights to get here (line 8) 2. one-storied shops with wooden-shuttered windows open onto the street (line 34) 3. Thimphu is actually new (line 46) 1. blue suited policemen using incomprehensible but graceful hand gestures (line 31) 2. they have beautiful, aristocratic faces (line 56) 3. I search for the right word to describe the people, the quality that impresses me most (lines 66-67) Connotes feelings of 1. She is in awe of the expanse of her surroundings. 2. Metaphor reflecting the enormity of the country s physical landscape and how self-aware she is that she is just a small part in something much larger. 3. Magical description. The fusion of the alliterative m sounds emphasise the experience of how incredible the natural world is. 1. Shows how remote the capital city is from her home country. 2. Antiquated buildings using natural materials, no mention of pavements the vendor meets the street, this is normal here but unfamiliar to the Canadian writer 3. The adverb of stance actually reveals her surprise that this old fashioned place is only thirty years old. This is a country dull of revelations with things not quite as they first appear. 1. Suggesting the police, upholders of the law, are almost like dancers. This seems so alien to her the fact that they can direct traffic with hand gestures and do it so gracefully bemuses her. 2. Sense of admiration for the people s appearance. Ironic description of the people looking aristocratic when it is such a rural community apparently uninterested in class, rank and status. 3. The enigmatic qualities of the people defy her capacity to describe them fully. She is in awe of them, perhaps suggesting that she held less favourable preconceived ideas Page 7 of 9

8 History 1. the area is thought to have been long inhabited before that (line 73) 2. earlier names for Bhutan are just as beautiful Lotus grove of the Gods (line 80) 3. Bhutan s preservation of its independence was remarkable (line 96) Connotes feelings of 1. The age of the country is unknown reflecting its magisterial qualities gives the country further dignity and gravitas. 2. Translations from Bhutanese reflects the country s charmed beauty, magical properties, physical grandeur and power. 3. Zeppa s awareness that this country, despite its more powerful aggressors, has retained its independence makes it seem like a survivor, fearless and strong. Task two Bhutanese word Translation What does this add to our impression of the country? Thimphu Druk Sherig Hotel dzong Tashichho Dzong Kira gho buddhism shamanist Druk Yul Bhotanta Bhu-uttan capital of Bhutan name of the hotel fortress seat of royal government women s dress men s traditional dress main religion traditional beliefs harness the spirit world to cure illness land of the Thunder Dragon end of Tibet name Bhutan derived from highlands Suggested answer: The frequent use of Bhutanese vocabulary adds an authenticity to Zeppa s writing. Her attempts at familiarizing herself with this new country are reflected in the way that she integrates key words into her memoir. She is making every effort to inform herself about its people, history and traditions. These new words bring us closer to a vivid portrayal of a remote culture Page 8 of 9

9 Task three Abstract introduction to its main geographical feature. Starts with a sense of being blinded by the strangeness of it all to grab the reader s interest. Focuses on the first night and the journey. Establishes her childlike excitement and nervousness. Places the country geographically for the reader and informs us of its landscape in more detail and how different it is to India. Temporal marker the next morning follows present tense, reads like a journal or diary. We meet the other people who she will be working with. Focus now on people rather than the geography of the place Detailed description of Thimpu, getting close up to the streets and people now, focusing in on real human life end Zeppa s eye now moves to the people, she is completing our picture for us, a blend of facts and descriptions. At the same time we move through the capital with her, indicators of place at the end of the main road act like a map of the streets. Zeppa moves out from the city now to explain about what she has learnt about the long history of the country, how it was named and its religion. The extract becomes more factual once she has got us on board with the previous paragraphs about its mystery and people. Final lines focus on its conflicts and its capacity to resist attacks from the Europeans, the Great Game and the British Empire ends with a personal description of the people and country as being remarkable admiration Page 9 of 9