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H if for Hawk

The extract from 'H is for Hawk' by Helen Macdonald immerses the reader in a tense atmosphere, highlighting the hawk's formidable nature and the protagonist's apprehension. Through various literary devices, such as vivid imagery, personification, and metaphor, the text explores themes of captivity, wild instincts, and the duality of the hawk's nature. The narrative builds suspense and ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader questioning the outcome of the protagonist's experience with the hawk.

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40 views

H if for Hawk

The extract from 'H is for Hawk' by Helen Macdonald immerses the reader in a tense atmosphere, highlighting the hawk's formidable nature and the protagonist's apprehension. Through various literary devices, such as vivid imagery, personification, and metaphor, the text explores themes of captivity, wild instincts, and the duality of the hawk's nature. The narrative builds suspense and ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader questioning the outcome of the protagonist's experience with the hawk.

Uploaded by

raihabatool2013
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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“H is for hawk” -by Helen Macdonald

1. The extract commences in media res, immediately immersing the reader into
the tense atmosphere. The pre-modifier in "a sudden thump" foreshadows
the hawk’s formidable nature, suggesting its power before it is even fully
revealed. This abrupt beginning creates an air of unpredictability, mirroring the
chaotic emotions of both the hawk and the protagonist.

2. The use of the collective noun "sheaf" to describe the feathers introduces an
interesting contrast. While "sheaf" typically denotes an orderly bundle, the
hawk’s movement is anything but controlled, reinforcing the tension between its
captive state and its untamed essence.

3. The epithet "captive-bred" conveys a paradox, as it highlights the hawk’s


unnatural upbringing in confinement while simultaneously emphasizing its
innate wild instincts. This contradiction underlines the protagonist’s anticipation,
as she expects a powerful predator yet remains aware of its artificial
domestication.

4. The repetition of the italicized onomatopoeic word "thump" serves to


amplify the impact of the hawk’s movements, creating a strong auditory image.
The forceful sound resonates with the protagonist’s growing apprehension,
reinforcing the bird’s strength and unpredictability. The use of italics adds
further emphasis, as if the sound itself reverberates within the confined space,
heightening the tension.

5. The vivid imagery in "feathered shoulders" portrays the hawk as a majestic


yet powerful creature. The focus on its shoulders, rather than its wings or
talons, draws attention to its latent strength, evoking a sense of restrained
power that is ready to be unleashed.

6. The minor sentence "Like us." introduces irony, as it suggests an affinity


between humans and the hawk. However, rather than similarity, the bird’s
fearful reaction emphasizes its fundamental difference from humans, reinforcing
the idea that, despite captivity, its wild nature cannot be tamed.

7. The series of short sentences, including "infinite", contributes to the rising


tension, as the fragmented structure mirrors the protagonist’s escalating
unease. By breaking the flow of the narrative, these abrupt statements force the
reader to pause, emphasizing the unpredictability of the situation.

8. The personification in "daylight irrigating the box" presents a striking


contrast between the gentle spread of light and the overwhelming tension
within the confined space. The verb "irrigating" typically refers to nourishing
land, yet here, it is used in an unnatural setting, subtly reinforcing the idea of
captivity and displacement.

9. The sibilance in "syrup, slow" elongates the phrase’s rhythm, creating a


sluggish and almost hypnotic effect. This deliberately drawn-out pacing
contrasts with the usual swiftness associated with birds of prey, adding to the
suspense.

10. The metaphor "last few seconds for a battle" likens the moment to
an impending confrontation, highlighting the need for preparation and vigilance.
The choice of "battle" suggests not only the hawk’s struggle but also the
protagonist’s internal conflict as she braces for what is to come.
11. The plosive sounds in "the hawk... propentine" generate a forceful,
staccato rhythm, mirroring the bird’s restless energy. The abrupt consonants
mimic the impact of each movement, reinforcing the hawk’s strength and
unpredictability.

12. The simile "like the scattered quills" serves as an allusion to


Shakespeare’s Hamlet, subtly evoking themes of chaos and danger. The
scattered quills may symbolize the disruptive presence of the hawk, hinting at
its potential for violence.

13. The repetition of "enormous" emphasizes the overwhelming presence


of the bird, reinforcing its sheer size and power. By reiterating this adjective, the
writer accentuates the protagonist’s awe and slight apprehension.

14. The hyperbole and personification in "my heart jumped sideways"


vividly convey the protagonist’s fear. By attributing movement to the heart, the
phrase exaggerates her physiological response, making her anxiety feel
palpable.

15. The biblical allusion in "fallen angel" draws a parallel between the
hawk and Lucifer, reinforcing its dual nature—both awe-inspiring and menacing.
The phrase suggests a once-magnificent being that has been cast down,
perhaps mirroring the hawk’s captivity and loss of freedom.

16. The polysyndetic listing of onomatopoeic words—"whirring," "clatter


of wings," "twittering"—within a multi-clausal sentence mimics the chaotic
energy of the hawk. The cumulative effect of these sounds creates a sense of
overwhelming movement, reinforcing the hawk’s predatory nature.

17. The use of present tense in "it's all happening at once" injects
immediacy into the narrative, making the reader experience the unfolding
events alongside the protagonist. This stylistic choice enhances the sense of
urgency and intensity.

18. The juxtaposition of "brilliance and fury" encapsulates the hawk’s dual
nature. While "brilliance" evokes admiration and beauty, "fury" suggests
untamed aggression, highlighting the contrast between its aesthetic allure and
its raw power.

19. The metaphor "a broken marionette" portrays the hawk’s


vulnerability, depicting it as a lifeless puppet stripped of control. This image
contrasts with its usual dominance, suggesting that captivity has rendered it
momentarily helpless.

20. The tricolon in "wings, legs, and light splashed" disrupts the
narrative flow, emphasizing the fragmented, erratic nature of the hawk’s
movements. The inclusion of "light" among physical elements adds a surreal,
almost ethereal quality.

21. The italicized "everything" intensifies the writer’s perspective, signaling


an overwhelming rush of emotions. The emphasis suggests that, in that
moment, the entirety of the situation feels immense and all-consuming.
22. The metaphor in "Everything startling and new—stamped on her
entirely astonished brain." conveys the hawk’s sensory overload. The
verb "stamped" implies permanence, as if this moment is forcibly imprinted
onto the bird’s consciousness.
23. The series of fragmented sentences—"It was the wrong bird. This
was the younger one. The smaller one. This was not my hawk."—mirrors
the protagonist’s spiraling disappointment. The abrupt structure reflects her
fractured thoughts, conveying her unexpected apprehension.

24. The monosyllabic "Oh." encapsulates the protagonist’s shock, its brevity
heightening the weight of her realization. The single word conveys a moment of
stunned disbelief.

25. The simile "like a Victorian" creates an unusual contrast, evoking an


antiquated, controlled image that clashes with the wild unpredictability of the
bird. This juxtaposition subtly hints at the hawk’s untamed nature resisting
human expectations.

26. The pun and literary allusion in "a madwoman in the attic"
reference Jane Eyre, drawing a parallel between the second hawk and Bertha
Mason. This comparison suggests unpredictability, instability, and a lurking
sense of chaos.

27. The tone progressively shifts towards something more sinister, as the
protagonist becomes increasingly uncertain about the unfolding events. The
narrative’s ominous undertone foreshadows potential conflict.

28. The repetition and italicization in "this is my hawk" emphasize the


protagonist’s certainty, marking a pivotal shift in her perception. The
italicization forces the reader to acknowledge the significance of this realization.

29. The juxtaposition of the adjectives "blank" and underscores the


bird’s instability, suggesting a disconcerting unpredictability in its behavior.

30. The extract ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader in suspense. The
unresolved tension creates a lingering sense of unease, compelling the
audience to question what will unfold next.

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