Working on quotes and drawing out the language features
“emotional terrorism”
Wood refers to yet Mao’s brand of “emotional terrorism”. It has metaphoric significance and reinforces Yes Mao’s threatening and manipulative manner, blaming Vanessa for her mother’s woes.
Expression: watch the “how” and “that” clauses (Grammar Booklet)
The imagery of the “blond and brunette heads”, associates the audience with being true Australian’s, and highlights how her “bent black head” stands out from the audience and symbolises her lack of belonging in Australia.
We need a noun phrase/a nominal.
Images connote – not authors
While looking in the mirror Blossom Beeby states that her eyes are “poo brown”. This depicts that the reflection the mirror shows, is what Beeby sees for herself. She insinuates that her appearance is bad by saying her eyes are “poo brown” instead of something desirable like chocolate.
Non-finite clauses – watch the subject (Grammar booklet)
The imagery of the “blond and brunette heads”, aims to highlight the lack of belonging which the Chinese sisters feel, while living with people who are of different race.
Integrate the quote into your sentence
“In the hallway mirror I caught a glimpse of my poo-brown eyes and flat yellow nose; then I just looked down at my feet as they slunk away.” She sees her culture as more of a burden rather than something to be proud of. Because of this, she is ashamed and she is desperate to feel like she belongs.
Watch pronoun references (Grammar booklet)
In the sentence, “I caught a glimpse of my poo-brown eyes and flat yellow nose”, we observe the children highlighting their difference and expressing them in a negative light.
The ‘heavy crown’ is a symbol for the weight the Asian community have to carry for their ethnicity while also having to moving forward?
Tenses – present tense and repetition (Grammar booklet)
The symbolic reference to the “Chinese princess costume” which the author wore, alludes to the pride and confidence which the author has found in her culture. The stereotypical image of a princess being bold, confident and beautiful is then conveyed to the author who has embraced her Chinese culture.
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