Text C

Read Text C, and then answer Questions 2(a) – (d) and Question 3 on the question
paper.

Text C: Two Old Women

The text is taken from a short novel. At this point in the story, it is an unusually cold
winter in Alaska and a nomadic Native American tribe, facing starvation, is struggling to
survive. The temperatures are below freezing point and many women and children are
suffering from malnutrition.

In this particular band were two old women cared for by The People for many years.
The older woman’s name was Ch’idzigyaak, for she reminded her parents of a
chickadee bird when she was born. The other woman’s name was Sa’, meaning ”star,”
because at the time of her birth her mother had been looking at the fall night sky,
concentrating on the distant stars to take her mind away from the painful labour
contractions.

The chief would instruct the younger men to set up shelters for these two old women
each time the band arrived at a new campsite, and to provide them with wood and
water. The younger women pulled the two elder women’s possessions from one camp
to the next and, in turn, the old women tanned animal skins for those who helped them.
The arrangement worked well.

However, the two old women shared a character flaw unusual for people of those times.
Constantly they complained of aches and pains, and they carried walking sticks to attest
to their handicaps. Surprisingly, the others seemed not to mind, despite having been
taught from the days of their childhood that weakness was not tolerated among the
inhabitants of this harsh motherland. Yet, no one reprimanded the two women, and they
continued to travel with the stronger ones – until one fateful day.

On that day, something more than the cold hung in the air as The People gathered
around their few flickering fires and listened to the chief. He was a man who stood
almost a head taller than the other men. From within the folds of his parka ruff he spoke
about the cold, hard days they were to expect and of what each would have to
contribute if they were to survive the winter.

Then, in a loud, clear voice he made a sudden announcement: “The council and I have
arrived at a decision.” The chief paused as if to find the strength to voice his next words.
”We are going to have to leave the old ones behind.”

His eyes quickly scanned the crowd for reactions. But the hunger and cold had taken
their toll, and The People did not seem to be shocked. Many expected this to happen,
and some thought it for the best. In those days, leaving the old behind in times of
starvation was not an unknown act, although in this band it was happening for the first
time.
The starkness of the primitive land seemed to demand it, as the people, to survive, were
forced to imitate some of the ways of the animals. Like the younger, more able wolves
who shun the old leader of the pack, these people would leave the old behind so that
they could move faster without the extra burden.

fall: Autumn

tanned: convert into leather

parka ruff: a hoodie garment that protects the Inuit people from the harsh cold
Re-read paragraphs 4 and 7.

● Paragraph 4 begins ‘On that day, something more…’ and talks about the extreme
weather conditions the people have to bear.
● Paragraph 7 begins ‘The starkness of the primitive land …’ and is about how the
tribe reacted initially to the announcement.

Explain how the writer uses language to convey meaning and to create effect in these
paragraphs. Choose three examples of words or phrases from each paragraph to
support your answer. Your choices should include the use of imagery.

Write about 200 to 300 words.

Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer.

Response:

In paragraph 4, the writer makes use of strong language and figures of speech to
convey the harsh days to come, creating a foreboding effect.

The writer’s image ‘more than cold hung in the air’ communicates the lurking danger in
the form of winter. It is presented like a predator, stalking its prey until it can no longer
run. Thus, an effect of menace is created. Subsequently, the use of alliteration in ‘few
flickering fires’ emphasizes their dire situation. The fire represents the dwindling warmth
and comfort they are left with until the cold extinguishes the fire. By representing their
predicament, the writer creates a hopeless effect. This effect is further reflected in ‘cold,
hard days’ which paints a picture of the looming existential threat, because to survive,
one must be strong mentally and physically, with willpower as hard as the month to
come, thereby, creating a grim effect.

Paragraph 7 occurs after the leader’s announcement, and it bluntly reflects on the
reaction of his people, using language and imagery to create effects of determination.

The writer’s usage of the phrase ‘starkness of the primitive land’ describes the do or die
nature of living in a hostile, wild environment: those who cannot help will be left behind,
creating a sense of urgency and alarm, just to survive. Following this, when ‘ways of
animals’ is used by the writer, it conveys the sometimes morbid and animalistic
necessities to survive. Sometimes, when it comes to it, one must be willing to perform
barbaric duties. Finally, ‘move faster without the extra burden’ portrays the elderly as a
burden, weighing and slowing everyone else down. But, as shown earlier, they can
move faster at a cost. This creates a sense of duty and sacrifice just as the Native
Americans felt.

296 words