Setting/Atmosphere: The narrator introduces the readers into her life by
establishing the setting as she conveys that there has been a reconstruction
of the gymnasium into a place where ‘army cots had been set in a row’: The
narrator is exposing to the readers that there has been a movement from a
prelapsarian world encompassed with freedom and nonchalance- ‘Later in
miniskirts...’- to a postlapsarian world where oppression is accepted and
advocated- ‘Guns for the guards’
Narrative voice: The narrator’s tone seems regretful as she shares
glimpses from both her past and present life- It is evident that in her
previous life, she had more freedom to live as she willed yet now, she must
conform to her superiors: The narrator questions herself and feels ashamed
that she ever dared wished that her life should change.
Summary: The narrator conveys that they ‘slept in what had once been the
gymnasium’ as she recalls the past activities that occurred there
-The narrator feels nostalgic about her previous life as she regrets feeling
unsatisfied with her life
-The narrator introduces the readers to the guardians who carry guns and
the angels who guard the women
-There is a sense of mistrust between everyone as everyone must battle for
themselves alone.
-A glimpse of the narrator’s situation as she mentions the other women that
are with her- ‘Moira, Dolores, Janine...’
Language techniques: Asyndeton: Symbolises that the narrator has a
routine that she follows fully- her life is on repeat
Rhetorical questions: The narrator questions her past actions and how she
ever took it for granted
Holophrastic sentences: Represents the idea that the narrator has a short
time to live so she must make the most of it
Metaphors: The narrator is unable to use literal language to convey her
feelings, emotions and thoughts properly