“Compelling storytelling can be achieved in a variety of ways”. (Literary Genre 2015)

(a) Identify 2 literary techniques found in one text you have studied. Discuss the extent to which these techniques contributed to compelling storytelling in this text

#625Lab. Corrected by an experienced examiner, graded as 49/70 with feedback on how to improve below. You may also like: Leaving Cert English Complete Guide (€). 

I have studied the novel ‘Death and Nightingales’ by Eugene McCabe, an addictive story set in the early 1900’s in Fermanagh. ‘Death and Nightingales’ centres around Beth Winters and her quest to escape Clonula, her home, to create new opportunities out of her (rephrase) stepfather’s dominant control.

I found that it was through McCabe’s precise, detailed characterisation, in particular of Beth Winters, and through interesting omniscient narration that such a compelling storyline was created.

(NP)Beth Winters is one of the most interesting protagonists I have come across in a novel. The characterisation of Beth is what makes the storyline addictive (rephrase (eg) McCabe’s creation of this courageous young woman) because as a reader I felt compelled to keep reading, rooting for her success. The novel opens with a dream Beth experiences, this immediately gave me an insight into her complex feelings towards Billy Winters. She dreams of poisoning him, an opening that immediately intrigued me. This dream, though a simple literary device, gave immediate access to the complex character of Beth in an indirect manner. It seems to foreshadow a turbulent story which indeed, was the case. In the dream, Beth uses ‘oil of bitter almonds’ to kill Billy Winters. We learn of the acrimonious relationship Beth and Billy have through interesting internal monologues. Unlike the other texts I have studied, the characterisation of Beth is rarely done through dialogue.

Letters in ‘Death and Nightingales’ offer the reader another chance to understand Beth’s personality. A letter Beth chose not to send to her lover, Liam Ward, was used to allow the reader to understand her feelings for Ward. She does not express her reservations to anyone in dialogue but through her stream of consciousness and in the letter, we learn that she fears Billy Winters reaction “open association would cause outrage here”. I also found that an old letter Beth reads, sent from Billy when she was away gave an unexpected insight into Billy’s fondness of Beth “You have at all times my dearest love, Papa”.

Yet although this interesting way of characterization most certainly made for a hooking storyline,(rephrase: intriguing, interesting, riveting) the omniscient narration and flashbacks gave the novel a tension and suspense in an innovative way. (rephrase :enhanced/intensified the tension…)

Omniscient narration is used, mostly throughout the story. This all knowing tone allows McCabe to capture the tensions between individuals and society. Dramatic suspense is added when we learn that Mercy had accidently confided in a policeman about Billy’s “unfatherly” groping of Beth. Beth and Billy have not yet to find this out, a feature that rendered me unable to put the book down.

This style of narration allowed for flashbacks. This literary device of displaying the take in a non-linear pattern certainly added a compelling element. In an early flashback, Beth reflects on her deceased mother’s acrimonious relationship with Billy “what she remembered seemed mostly to be a shouting from behind closed doors”. Each flashback gave me the opportunity to learn the backstory of individuals, relationships and of the divided society itself.(More examples required for depth here)

I believe it is through the use of literary devices such as characterisation and omniscient narration that McCabe creates a compelling, addictive storyline.(don’t repeat your opening assertion. Be declarative –‘ it is evident that McCabe relied heavily on the power of the omniscient narration to draw the reader, myself, into a world of…’ )

(b) Identify one literary technique common to two other texts on your comparative course. Compare the extent to which this literary technique contributed to compelling storytelling in these texts.

The other texts I have studied were ‘Playboy of the Western World’ by J.M. Synge and ‘Brooklyn’, a film directed by John Crowley. Both the play, ‘Playboy of the Western World’, and the film, ‘Brooklyn, are interesting and often fascinating tales, driven, in my opinion, by characterisation of the various characters in each text. (rephrase: driven by strong characterization/ sharply defined characters/ well developed characters / the writers ability to create vivid memorable characters experiencing challenges, conflicts and confrontations…)

‘Brooklyn’ could be considered a coming of age story, although Éilis the protagonist (the protagonist, Eilis,) is around 19 or 20 at the time. I found the plot seemed to be powered by her development as she escapes Enniscorthy in search of opportunities.(vague: avoid ‘seemed’) Similarly, in ‘Playboy of the Western World’, as a reader, I felt drawn to Pegeen Mike as she desired to create opportunities for herself within rural Mayo in the early 1900’s. Yet the real characterisation that made the storyline (made the storyline what? Interesting? Absorbing? ‘that created the riveting storyline’) was the development of Christy Mahon. Many parallels could be drawn between Christy and Éilis as they gain confidence, form relationships and learn how to change their lives for the better.

Éilis Lacey is clearly bored of Enniscorthy where her life revolved around working in a shop, going to mass and attending the local dances. She seems critical of the local opportunities for romance; to her friend Nancy she says “I know you like him, but he’s not Gary Cooper, is he?” and it’s clear that Ireland lacked job opportunities as she tells her sister Rose “You’ve bought me most of the clothes in this case, that’s why I’m going”. (Insert comparative phrase) It’s clear that Christy also lacked chances of love, living with his father where it had been arranged for him to marry a much older woman who had once nursed him “but I was lonesome at times, and born lonesome”. As a reader (and viewer) of the texts, I rooted for (I fervently hoped that both characters would find…) both characters to find love and opportunities, a desire that led me to continue reading the texts.

Of course, both characters experience obstacles to their success, experiences that develop them into more resilient characters.(experiences that assist their growth/help them become..) Christy Mahon thinks he killed his father and seeks refuge in Pegeen Mike’s ‘shebeen’. Meanwhile, Éilis suffers from awful homesickness in Brooklyn. These obstacles drove the storyline forward as readers want to see Éilis and Christy overcome the difficulties. Christy admits to the locals ‘I killed my poor father, Tuesday was a week’. Much to his surprise, the locals are enthralled with this act of ‘bravery’ and he immediately wins the attention of Pegeen Mike. Éilis also manages to win over her homesickness by enrolling in night classes. It isn’t long before she meets Tony Fiorelo and a strong relationship is formed. Clearly, Tony is caring as he exclaims on their first date “I’m worried you haven’t eaten anything”. These budding relationships change (transform) the characters and both Éilis and Christy gain confidence with each scene.

In key moments, this newfound confidence of each character is shown. Humour is introduced when Synge describes Christy admiring himself in the mirror. I enjoyed this addition of humour “Didn’t I know rightly I was handsome, though it was the divil’s own mirror we had beyond, would twist a squint across an angel’s brow”. Éilis also gains confidence, yet unlike Christy’s humorous exhibition of confidence, Éilis’ self-assurance is seen when she must return to Ireland due to the sudden death of her sister. I think Éilis’ clothes alone show the development and change she underwent in America. I love the shot of her on the Enniscorthy streets, dressed in a yellow dress with fashionable sunglasses, clearly uncaring of the opinions of more reserved Irish townspeople.(Refer to literary genre – what has the author/director done to make you feel this way)

Yet the key moment truly showing Éilis’ development in character that created huge tension was when Éilis stood up to her ex-employer, the nasty Ms Kelly. When (Avoid using ‘when’ again) Ms Kelly tires to blackmail Éilis, hinting she knows about Éilis’ secret marriage, Éílis stands up and towers dominantly over Ms Kelly saying “My name is Éílis Fiorelto”. I enjoyed this climax of the story because of how clearly it showed the growth of Eilis’ character. However, Christy’s key moment of confidence is less optimistic. When the locals discover Old Mahon lives, they turn on him and Pegeen rejects him in disgust, yet all is not lost for Christy as he leaves the ‘shebeen’ as a new man. He no longer is dominated by his father, but instead, leaves “like a gallant captain with his heathen slave” with his father in tow.

It is not just the fascinating development of characters that makes both these stories compelling, rather it’s the way these characters’ developments shape and drive the storylines of ‘Brooklyn’ and ‘Playboy of the Western World’. Both Christy and Éilis are characters that no doubt will remain with me long after studying these texts.

Part (a)  21/30

Part (b)  28/40

49/70: Language usage needs attention. More comparative phrasing in part ‘b’ also required. Remember to keep what the question is asking to the forefront and avoid the passive voice. Rephrasing aspects of the question shows flair and creativity, an opportunity to showcase a wide vocabulary. The bones of a superb answer are here – there is work to be done on your voice coming through in the answer. ‘I’ and strong declarations.