Explore the significance of the crime elements this extract. Remember to
include in your answer relevant detailed analysis of the ways that Miller has
shaped meanings. [25 marks]
The opening of A.D. Miller’s novel, Snowdrops is situated in the aftermath of
an unknown crime from the perspective of a homodiegetic narrator, a British
lawyer who is recalling a time back when he was working in Moscow. The
open section of the extract is already creating an enigma due to the lack of
information being implemented, this not only creates suspense but allows the
reader to think and to put the missing pieces together.
The extract begins immediately at a point of high tension with the simple, short
sentence “I smelled it before I saw it”. The use of the pronoun ‘it’ implies that it
is something abnormal and shocking but Miller doesn’t tell us what, therefore
increasing the tension and making the reader eager to find out what this ‘thing’
is. The narrator could be suggesting it is murder as no other crime would
amount to this shocking reaction, as the public have a great curiosity to find
out the extent of the crime also. Miller then goes on to inform the reader that
“most (of the crowd) were policemen” further setting the crime up to be of an
evil nature due to the number of policemen at the scene.
Miller’s use of grotesque detail to describe the dead corpse gives the reader a
sense of unease. He goes to the extent of discussing the scent of this corpse
and describes it like “if you forget to put your washing out before you go on
holiday”. The informal language and using situations that the reader would be
able to relate to, allows them to picture themselves being in the narrator’s
situation and further influences the tension. The extent of the crime is again
emphasised due to the impact it has upon the narrator “I can still see the foot
now.” The use of the article ‘the’ as opposed to ‘a’ serves to emphasise the
mark that specific foot as left upon him, and how it has had an effect on his
memory, taunting him. Repetition of the term ‘smell’ throughout also highlights
the impact it had on the man and how it stayed with him long after the crime.
include in your answer relevant detailed analysis of the ways that Miller has
shaped meanings. [25 marks]
The opening of A.D. Miller’s novel, Snowdrops is situated in the aftermath of
an unknown crime from the perspective of a homodiegetic narrator, a British
lawyer who is recalling a time back when he was working in Moscow. The
open section of the extract is already creating an enigma due to the lack of
information being implemented, this not only creates suspense but allows the
reader to think and to put the missing pieces together.
The extract begins immediately at a point of high tension with the simple, short
sentence “I smelled it before I saw it”. The use of the pronoun ‘it’ implies that it
is something abnormal and shocking but Miller doesn’t tell us what, therefore
increasing the tension and making the reader eager to find out what this ‘thing’
is. The narrator could be suggesting it is murder as no other crime would
amount to this shocking reaction, as the public have a great curiosity to find
out the extent of the crime also. Miller then goes on to inform the reader that
“most (of the crowd) were policemen” further setting the crime up to be of an
evil nature due to the number of policemen at the scene.
Miller’s use of grotesque detail to describe the dead corpse gives the reader a
sense of unease. He goes to the extent of discussing the scent of this corpse
and describes it like “if you forget to put your washing out before you go on
holiday”. The informal language and using situations that the reader would be
able to relate to, allows them to picture themselves being in the narrator’s
situation and further influences the tension. The extent of the crime is again
emphasised due to the impact it has upon the narrator “I can still see the foot
now.” The use of the article ‘the’ as opposed to ‘a’ serves to emphasise the
mark that specific foot as left upon him, and how it has had an effect on his
memory, taunting him. Repetition of the term ‘smell’ throughout also highlights
the impact it had on the man and how it stayed with him long after the crime.
