Extract analysis from 'Heroes'
How does Cormier create impact and atmosphere in this extract?
Cormier creates atmosphere and impacts upon the audience in this extract. He does this predominantly through the language he uses, but also the sentence structure.
This extract is a flashback to a war scene which Francis is involved in. The war is a vital part in this novel, since Cormier was inspired to write this novel by the 50th anniversary celebrations of the D-Day landings. The Americans were drawn to war after the bombing of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese. Men and teenage boys, like Francis, wanted to go to war to fight for their country.
At the start of the extract, Cormier creates a desolate, broken atmosphere. He does this through his emotive description of the setting; “Abandoned” “ruined” “debris-cluttered.” All of these words have connotations of being worn out and wrecked. This could suggest that the war has caused ruin and desolation and creates a sombre, pained atmosphere. However, this poignant description could also suggest that the setting is a reflection on the soldiers; they are tired and suffering, which creates a sad, regretful atmosphere.
Robert Cormiers use of language is also key in creating a frantic and scared atmosphere later on in the extract. “scrambling, and scurrying, hitting the dirt.” This repetitive use of present participles describing their movements creates a rushed atmosphere. There is no other description other than their actions, which could suggest that there is danger and they are focussed on staying alive. The impact on the reader as they read this, is that they feel as though they are there, as if they were under attack. Cormiers use of language here creates a scared, frenzied atmosphere.
A scared, nervous atmosphere is also created earlier on in the extract, but it is created through sentence structure, rather than language. As the soldiers are waiting nervously, Cormier uses long sentences to describe their actions and the setting. “Jesus: meaning
Cormier creates atmosphere and impacts upon the audience in this extract. He does this predominantly through the language he uses, but also the sentence structure.
This extract is a flashback to a war scene which Francis is involved in. The war is a vital part in this novel, since Cormier was inspired to write this novel by the 50th anniversary celebrations of the D-Day landings. The Americans were drawn to war after the bombing of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese. Men and teenage boys, like Francis, wanted to go to war to fight for their country.
At the start of the extract, Cormier creates a desolate, broken atmosphere. He does this through his emotive description of the setting; “Abandoned” “ruined” “debris-cluttered.” All of these words have connotations of being worn out and wrecked. This could suggest that the war has caused ruin and desolation and creates a sombre, pained atmosphere. However, this poignant description could also suggest that the setting is a reflection on the soldiers; they are tired and suffering, which creates a sad, regretful atmosphere.
Robert Cormiers use of language is also key in creating a frantic and scared atmosphere later on in the extract. “scrambling, and scurrying, hitting the dirt.” This repetitive use of present participles describing their movements creates a rushed atmosphere. There is no other description other than their actions, which could suggest that there is danger and they are focussed on staying alive. The impact on the reader as they read this, is that they feel as though they are there, as if they were under attack. Cormiers use of language here creates a scared, frenzied atmosphere.
A scared, nervous atmosphere is also created earlier on in the extract, but it is created through sentence structure, rather than language. As the soldiers are waiting nervously, Cormier uses long sentences to describe their actions and the setting. “Jesus: meaning