Levine's A Game of Headless Goat analysis

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“A Game of Headless Goat” analysis- IGCSE English Anthology

Levine manages to keep the readers excited throughout the whole context through her language, presentational devices and dialogues of characters. There are elements of humor and seriousness to make it more engaging and interesting.

In the first paragraph she builds excitement and expectation of the readers through immediate action; when she mentions her thought and idea on joining the “Wacky Race”- it’s comical on how she brings the reference of a cartoon into a realistic situation- her lads Yaqoob and Iqbal’s “loved the idea almost immediately. And the brief exchange between the trio- a brief description on what will happen- builds the excitement of the readers as well- “”We’ll open the car boot, you climb inside and point your camera towards the race. As the donkeys overtake us, we’ll join the car.” “But will you try and get to the front?” “Oh yes, that’s no problem.”” Levine is optimistic of the race as well.

In the next paragraph, she focuses on building up the interest of the reader. For instance, the new enthusiasm from the “locals” towards the game promotes excitement in readers- “never been interested/suddenly fired up with enthusiasm”. Levine, in the following phrase narrates the creation of the new “enthusiasm” within locals (her guides). The use of “eternity” is a hyperbole to exaggerate impatience and derived emotions such as boredom and, “the only action was...gazed around at us”- it reflects a hopeless tone, at the point of giving up and is a let down to the readers. The contrast emphasizes the climax in paragraph 7.

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In the third paragraph, alternatively, Levine builds hope and optimism- “”Coming, coming” came the reply.” But in line 12- “I was beginning to lose faith... lads remained confident”- holds elements of first-hand pessimism/ loss of “faith” and witnessed optimism in the form of reassurance. These effects create suspense, further building the impact of the climax.  

Paragraph four and five is the “climatic beginning”- climax appears as an explosion of activity. She creates visual imagery to show the speed of the competitors and how they appeared to “dwarf” the donkeys by their speed and number- “cloud of fumes and ...

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