Page 87 - The Bellfort - Summer 2015
P. 87
Year 12 English - Creative Writing Subsided. The cold nipped my Extract from analytical essay: ship with Harvy. This decep- fngers, and a colder wave of tion of the reader, in my opin- fear prickled my scalp. I knew Analyse how the writer has ion, makes the empathise that every step I took meant portrayed the relationships in more with the character of that safety was being left fur- ‘The Kiss’ by Kate Chopin. Brantain whom the writer ac- ther and further behind me. tually presents as a bufoon In this short story the writer rather than an eligible, attrac- The screeching of the brakes very deliberately uses the title tive bachelor. This presenta- was deafening and it was as if to mislead the reader’s expec- tion of him encourages the someone was screaming NO! tations. This deception fore- reader to have sympathy for With every ounce of strength shadows the duplicitous na- Nathlie’s decision to try and and courage I possessed I ture of Nathalie’s character as continue her afair with the continued to move towards the reader sees her intentions exciting Harvy whereas the my friend. I had to reach him are not romantic as initially reader now fully understands before the train. suggested by the title ‘The what it is like to be deceived. Kiss’. This portrayal of a character I forced Dylan’s lifeless body seeking to meet her out of the way and that was own comfort and it…time had run out. needs at the ex- pense of genuine In desperation I hurled my love and afection body forwards and I crumpled was also subtly illus- against the metal. I was fung trated in the open- to the side. Pebbles had once ing scene of the sto- been one of my favourite ry. things to collect however now they pushed themselves Nathalie’s character under my skin and scored my is juxtaposed with a nerve endings as I rolled over cat: and over, forced by the down- draught of the train. Blistering “She idly stroked pain shredded through my the satiny coat of torn up body. I slightly turned the cat that lay my head to see Dylan collapse curled in the lap” in the pain of losing his friend. In that moment I knew he The hard ‘c’ sounds would forever feel guilt but I of the alliteration was relieved to see him alive. create an aural The use of the word ‘Kiss’ im- sense of unpleasantness and I knew it was my fnal mo- mediately creates association harshness that strongly links ment. I looked up at beauty of the theme of love and ro- the cat and Nathalie. I think it as the stars smiled down at mance however it is actually a is signifcant that her charac- me – the clouds had gone story of deception and betray- ter is linked with a feline as now. The pain vanished and it al. Re-interpreting the title one unattractive feline trait is was over. I had completed the after reading the story, the that they seek their own ma- mission to save my best friend reader can see a parallel be- terial comfort and needs but in so doing had lost my tween Judas’ betrayal of Je- above the genuine afection. own life. I had condemned sus in Gethsemane for 30 This negative perception is my family to be ravaged by pieces of silver with Nathalie’s also developed through the grief but I hoped that one day desire to marry Brantain for sibilance in ‘stroked satiny’ they would heal enough to his ‘million’ when she de- and ‘sent a slow glance into feel pride at my actions. ceives him about her relation- the shadow’. THE BELLFORT SUMMER 2015 87