FULL NAMES:
STUDENT NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: ENG2602
MODULE NAME: GENRES IN LITERATURE AND
LANGUAGE: THEORY, STYLE AND POETICS
ASSIGNMENT: 02
DUE DATE: 30 JUNE 2023
NB: TWO FICTION ESSAYS OF THE SAME TOPIC. CHOOSE ONE.
, QUESTION 2: FICTION
Shubnum Khan's novel, "Onion Tears," delves into the complex relationships
between three generations of Indian women in South Africa and how secrets within
the family affect their connection. This essay aims to critically analyze an extract
from the novel, focusing on the literary features employed by Khan to depict
emotional pain. By examining the use of language, figurative devices, and the
protagonist's thought processes, we can unravel the theme of emotional pain within
the passage.
The extract portrays Summaya, the daughter in the narrative, waiting impatiently in a
bank while her thoughts wander. It is through Summaya's eyes that we experience
her emotional pain. The reader gains insight into her shifting thoughts and the way
she processes her emotions. The interconnection between her thoughts and feelings
allows us to understand the depths of her emotional turmoil and how it intertwines
with other experiences and emotions.
Khan skillfully utilizes various literary techniques to depict emotional pain in the
extract. One notable aspect is the use of figurative language, which helps convey the
intensity and nature of the pain. For instance, the author describes Summaya's
thoughts as "Real things that hurt," highlighting the tangible and significant impact
emotional pain has on her (Khan 13). The word "hurt" itself evokes a sense of
suffering, emphasizing the depth of Summaya's emotional turmoil.
Furthermore, the passage employs the metaphorical concept of disappearance to
emphasize the lasting presence of emotional pain. The author states, "Because
nothing ever really disappears... It's there. Lying at the bottom... Waiting" (Khan 14).
This metaphor suggests that emotional pain never truly vanishes but rather evolves
and persists, always ready to resurface. The inclusion of the word "waiting" suggests
the anticipation of emotional pain, highlighting its haunting nature.
The Structure of Sentences and Language: The structure of sentences in the extract
also plays a crucial role in conveying emotional pain. Khan's choice to separate
certain sentences, such as "Nothing disappears. Things mutate. Evolve. Grow"
(Khan 14), creates a rhythmic effect. This rhythm adds emphasis and weight to each
individual idea, reflecting the protagonist's own contemplative state of mind and
emphasizing the significance of emotional pain.
STUDENT NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: ENG2602
MODULE NAME: GENRES IN LITERATURE AND
LANGUAGE: THEORY, STYLE AND POETICS
ASSIGNMENT: 02
DUE DATE: 30 JUNE 2023
NB: TWO FICTION ESSAYS OF THE SAME TOPIC. CHOOSE ONE.
, QUESTION 2: FICTION
Shubnum Khan's novel, "Onion Tears," delves into the complex relationships
between three generations of Indian women in South Africa and how secrets within
the family affect their connection. This essay aims to critically analyze an extract
from the novel, focusing on the literary features employed by Khan to depict
emotional pain. By examining the use of language, figurative devices, and the
protagonist's thought processes, we can unravel the theme of emotional pain within
the passage.
The extract portrays Summaya, the daughter in the narrative, waiting impatiently in a
bank while her thoughts wander. It is through Summaya's eyes that we experience
her emotional pain. The reader gains insight into her shifting thoughts and the way
she processes her emotions. The interconnection between her thoughts and feelings
allows us to understand the depths of her emotional turmoil and how it intertwines
with other experiences and emotions.
Khan skillfully utilizes various literary techniques to depict emotional pain in the
extract. One notable aspect is the use of figurative language, which helps convey the
intensity and nature of the pain. For instance, the author describes Summaya's
thoughts as "Real things that hurt," highlighting the tangible and significant impact
emotional pain has on her (Khan 13). The word "hurt" itself evokes a sense of
suffering, emphasizing the depth of Summaya's emotional turmoil.
Furthermore, the passage employs the metaphorical concept of disappearance to
emphasize the lasting presence of emotional pain. The author states, "Because
nothing ever really disappears... It's there. Lying at the bottom... Waiting" (Khan 14).
This metaphor suggests that emotional pain never truly vanishes but rather evolves
and persists, always ready to resurface. The inclusion of the word "waiting" suggests
the anticipation of emotional pain, highlighting its haunting nature.
The Structure of Sentences and Language: The structure of sentences in the extract
also plays a crucial role in conveying emotional pain. Khan's choice to separate
certain sentences, such as "Nothing disappears. Things mutate. Evolve. Grow"
(Khan 14), creates a rhythmic effect. This rhythm adds emphasis and weight to each
individual idea, reflecting the protagonist's own contemplative state of mind and
emphasizing the significance of emotional pain.
