H1 Comprehension Answer

H1 Comprehension Answer - Leaving Certificate 2013

Question A (i)

What evidence does the writer offer to suggest that readers or viewers can find cliff-hangers fascinating or alluring? Support your answer with reference to the written text.

In this extract, the writer examines the use of cliff-hangers as a plot device in television programmes, radio shows and novels and their effect on the audience. She suggests that the reason why readers or viewers find cliffhangers so fascinating or alluring is because at their core they are ‘primal and unashamedly manipulative’, created by the storyteller for the sole purpose of encouraging the audience to continue reading or watching. As described by the writer, they ‘dare you to keep believing’ even after the most ridiculous and unbelievable twists.

The author also suggests that the audience’s love for cliff-hangers is due to the vibrant range of emotions they evoke in themselves: ‘surprise, shock, outrage and pleasure’, among others. According to her, an expertly written cliff-hanger ‘might send you dancing off the sofa’ in the excitement of witnessing a thrill-packed, exciting ending and longing for the ‘rewarding’ resolution that a further instalment could bring. (15/15)

Question A (ii)

Discuss how effectively each of the visual images (IMAGE 1 and IMAGE 2) helps to develop your understanding of the cliff-hanger as a storytelling device. In your answer, refer to both of the visual images that illustrate the text.

Both of these images are exceptional in the way that they help to develop my understanding of the cliff-hanger as a storytelling device.

Image 1 shows a man in the foreground strapped to a table, and a man and a woman similarly bound in the background. A sinister figure of a man looms over the man on a table, and there is a lack of colour in the picture. All of the aspects of this photo suggest an ominous threat of something terrible which is to occur, and yet, at the same time this picturing is confusing. We are given no indication of what will happen, but we still feel uneasy. This, combined with the text which reads ‘To be continued’ heightens the sense of suspense, and awe felt by the viewers, a similar feeling that one would experience if watching a film or reading a novel with a cliff-hanger. Image 2 portrays a young boy hanging onto the ledge of a very tall building. The photo is shot from above, underlining the sense of danger and tension and showing how tall the building is. The fearful expression on the boy’s face again highlights his life is at stake. The viewer feels nervous, anxious and shocked by this image. In this way, the images effectively develops my understanding of the cliff-hanger as a storytelling device as they convey the suspense, tension, awe and wonder at what is to come. This is commonly felt by the viewer when experiencing a cliff-hanger. (12/15)

Question A (iii)

The New Yorker has been described as a magazine that informs, entertains and comments. Based on your reading of the written extract above, would you agree with this description? Support your answer with reference to both the content and style of the written text.

I would agree that The New Yorker as a magazine informs, entertains and comments. This extract informs the reader about the history of the use of cliff-hanger in storytelling. The writer details of the desperate riots of Dickens’ fans on the dock of New York harbour in 1841 as they awaited the arrival of the British ship beaming the next installment of his gripping, thrilling magazine series. The article also informs us about the first great cliff-hanger on television as seen on the soap opera Dallas, which gave rise to a multitude of similarly surprising moments on programmes such as ‘Desperate Housewives’, ‘Friends’ and ‘Lost’.

The article is also very entertaining as the writer uses humour throughout. Her revelation of a ‘spoiler’ that little Nell had died is ironically funny when looking back on the hysteria that had erupted amongst the 19th century Dickens fans in their anticipation of the next instalment in the series. The description of ‘The Adventures of Kathryn’ is comical and humorous in the increasingly ridiculous list of animals that Kathryn evaded week after week ‘tigers, leopards, wolves, baboons and elephants’. Another aspect of this piece of writing which contributes to the entertainment of the reader is the use of popular culture references spanning from the obscure - The Adventures of Kathryn - to the ragingly popular Friends. The naming of specific series allows the reader to relate the article’s subject to something that they have probably experienced and found a great joy and excitement in themselves - like a favourite television programme. The author also takes the opportunity to comment on the storytelling phenomenon that is the cliff-hanger. She highlights that although there is somewhat of a neediness in a storyteller’s desire to employ this sensationalist technique, there is something exciting and joyful in them and the way that they ‘make manipulation a virtue’, The writer also indicates that cliff-hangers are only effective and successful when written skillfully and believably. According to her, one poorly done is nothing more than ‘shoddy craftsmanship’.

In conclusion, I believe that this article is a clear example of The New Yorker’s ability to inform, entertain and comment. (18/20).

Total = 45/50