Letter to Daniel

Non-FictionNon-Fiction

Letter to Daniel by Letter to Daniel by Fergal KeaneFergal Keane

CONTEXTCONTEXT• The following letter by Fergal Keane to The following letter by Fergal Keane to

his newborn son was broadcast on the his newborn son was broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 programme, ‘From our BBC Radio 4 programme, ‘From our own Correspondent’. own Correspondent’.

• As a BBC foreign correspondent, As a BBC foreign correspondent, Keane has reported, first hand, from Keane has reported, first hand, from various international crisis areas various international crisis areas including Northern Ireland, Southern including Northern Ireland, Southern Africa and Asia. Africa and Asia.

• His reporting has been honoured with His reporting has been honoured with an Amnesty International Press award an Amnesty International Press award and an OBE for services to journalism. and an OBE for services to journalism.

• His book on Rwanda, His book on Rwanda, Season of Season of BloodBlood, won the George Orwell Prize , won the George Orwell Prize for political writing.for political writing.

Letter to Daniel-AudioLetter to Daniel-Audio

IntroductionIntroduction

IntroductionIntroduction• When writers plan their work, there are three basic When writers plan their work, there are three basic

questions they have to consider:questions they have to consider:

• Who am I in this piece, myself or some other Who am I in this piece, myself or some other character?character? PersonaPersona

• Who am I writing for?Who am I writing for? AudienceAudience

• What effect do I want my writing to have on the What effect do I want my writing to have on the reader?reader? PurposePurpose

• The answers to these questions help authors The answers to these questions help authors determine which determine which formform of writing or which of writing or which genregenre they they should adopt.should adopt.

IntroductionIntroduction

• ‘‘Letter to Daniel’ is a Letter to Daniel’ is a non-fiction textnon-fiction text and in non- and in non-fiction we would normally expect authors fiction we would normally expect authors to write as to write as themselvesthemselves – rather than to adopt a different persona. – rather than to adopt a different persona.

• However, audience and purpose in non-fiction will vary However, audience and purpose in non-fiction will vary and are extremely important. and are extremely important.

• So, whether we are reading an extract from a longer So, whether we are reading an extract from a longer piece in order to answer interpretation questions, or piece in order to answer interpretation questions, or whether we are studying a complete work of non-whether we are studying a complete work of non-fiction we should be thinking, as we read:fiction we should be thinking, as we read:

• Who is this aimed at?Who is this aimed at?• Why has the author written this?Why has the author written this?

IntroductionIntroduction• Activities 1Activities 1 and and 22 which follow, are which follow, are

designed to get you thinking about designed to get you thinking about purposepurpose and and audienceaudience and, in doing so, and, in doing so, come to an understanding of what Fergal come to an understanding of what Fergal Keane set out to achieve in his writing.Keane set out to achieve in his writing.

You’ll work in pairs or groups to begin You’ll work in pairs or groups to begin with, before whole-class discussion with, before whole-class discussion

on the issues.on the issues.

ACTIVITY 1ACTIVITY 1

ACTIVITY 1ACTIVITY 1• The piece is addressed to ‘My dear son’ and the The piece is addressed to ‘My dear son’ and the

narrative technique is that of a letternarrative technique is that of a letter, speaking, at , speaking, at all times, directly to Daniel – yet it was broadcast to all times, directly to Daniel – yet it was broadcast to the nation on a BBC radio programme. the nation on a BBC radio programme.

• DiscussDiscuss the following statements about the audience the following statements about the audience for the letter, decide which one you agree with most for the letter, decide which one you agree with most and be prepared to report your conclusions.and be prepared to report your conclusions.

1.1. The letter isn’t really aimed at his son.The letter isn’t really aimed at his son.2.2. The letter form is a device to get the attention of the The letter form is a device to get the attention of the

general public.general public.3.3. The letter is aimed both at his son and the general The letter is aimed both at his son and the general

public.public.4.4. Other?Other?

ACTIVITY 2ACTIVITY 2

ACTIVITY 2ACTIVITY 2• Consider the following possibilities and decide which one Consider the following possibilities and decide which one

youyou think is Fergal Keane’sthink is Fergal Keane’s main purposemain purpose for writing this for writing this letter. letter.

• Referring closely to the textReferring closely to the text, you should try to offer at , you should try to offer at least least three reasonsthree reasons for your choice. for your choice.

• Fergal Keane wrote this letter in order to:Fergal Keane wrote this letter in order to:

1.1. express his feelings of pride and joy at having a new-born express his feelings of pride and joy at having a new-born son;son;

2.2. express wonder and delight at how his life has changed as a express wonder and delight at how his life has changed as a result of becoming a father;result of becoming a father;

3.3. reflect on the world his newborn son has entered;reflect on the world his newborn son has entered;4.4. use the letter as a sort of ‘time-capsule’ for his son to open use the letter as a sort of ‘time-capsule’ for his son to open

and read when he reaches maturity;and read when he reaches maturity;5.5. express his regret about never having known his own father;express his regret about never having known his own father;6.6. other?other?

Letter Overview/SynopsisLetter Overview/Synopsis• At its most basic it is a father’s expression of joy and hope at the birth of his At its most basic it is a father’s expression of joy and hope at the birth of his

first child. At deeper levels, it considers how fatherhood has changed the first child. At deeper levels, it considers how fatherhood has changed the writer’s perceptions of the ‘rat-race’, the horror he has witnessed as a war writer’s perceptions of the ‘rat-race’, the horror he has witnessed as a war correspondent and the relationship – or lack of it – with his own father.correspondent and the relationship – or lack of it – with his own father.

• There are three sections to the letter, each with its own mood and tone. The There are three sections to the letter, each with its own mood and tone. The opening section (paragraphs 1–5) is full of hope and joy at the birth of this opening section (paragraphs 1–5) is full of hope and joy at the birth of this precious son. precious son.

• The next section reflects on the desolation visited upon children in war-torn The next section reflects on the desolation visited upon children in war-torn countries – as witnessed by Keane reporting for the BBC from various war countries – as witnessed by Keane reporting for the BBC from various war zones. In this section he expresses his feelings of fear for, and zones. In this section he expresses his feelings of fear for, and protectiveness towards, his son. protectiveness towards, his son.

• In the final section he tells a ‘story’ which is clearly about his own origins – In the final section he tells a ‘story’ which is clearly about his own origins – but from an omniscient narrative stance. This section should allow you to but from an omniscient narrative stance. This section should allow you to consider the issue of the real and the imagined in non-fiction, perhaps consider the issue of the real and the imagined in non-fiction, perhaps agreeing that, in non-fiction it is the facts that are conveyed which matter, agreeing that, in non-fiction it is the facts that are conveyed which matter, regardless of how the descriptive or narrative detail might have been regardless of how the descriptive or narrative detail might have been manipulated to creative effect. manipulated to creative effect.

• In the final paragraph, the letter reverts to its opening mood of love and joy, In the final paragraph, the letter reverts to its opening mood of love and joy, as well evoking a powerful mood of hope and reconciliation.as well evoking a powerful mood of hope and reconciliation.

• Structure Structure • Narrative stance Narrative stance • Setting Setting • Sentence structure Sentence structure • Imagery Imagery • Word choice Word choice • Tone Tone • Contrasts Contrasts • Theme (importance of family, forgiveness and the fallibility of man).Theme (importance of family, forgiveness and the fallibility of man).

You are now going to You are now going to analyse the text analyse the text

closely looking at the closely looking at the following:following:

We will divide the letter into the We will divide the letter into the following sections in order to do thisfollowing sections in order to do this

• Section 1 Section 1 • (Paragraphs 1 – 5)(Paragraphs 1 – 5)

Daniel and his parentsDaniel and his parents. Mood of love, devotion and joy. Mood of love, devotion and joy

• Section 2Section 2• (Paragraphs 6 – opening of para 11)(Paragraphs 6 – opening of para 11)

FergalFergal - Life as war correspondent – How this makes him protective of his - Life as war correspondent – How this makes him protective of his sonson

• Section 3Section 3 • (A) (Paragraphs 12– 15) (A) (Paragraphs 12– 15)

• & & • (B) (final paragraph)(B) (final paragraph)

• A) A) Alcoholic fatherAlcoholic father – How this makes him even more protective – How this makes him even more protective • B) B) Link back to DanielLink back to Daniel – Return to love, joy but also gives tone of hope – Return to love, joy but also gives tone of hope

Section 1 Section 1 (Paragraphs 1 – 5)(Paragraphs 1 – 5)

Daniel and his parentsDaniel and his parents. . Mood of love, devotion and joyMood of love, devotion and joy

Read paragraphs 1 – 5Read paragraphs 1 – 5

• In this first section Keane addresses his In this first section Keane addresses his son directly and the mood created is one son directly and the mood created is one of paternal love and devotion. of paternal love and devotion.

• It becomes evident how pleased, It becomes evident how pleased, overjoyed indeed, both Keane and his overjoyed indeed, both Keane and his wife are to finally have a child.wife are to finally have a child.

TASK 1TASK 1

Task 1Task 1• The mood in the first five paragraphs is one The mood in the first five paragraphs is one

of love and joy. of love and joy.

1.1. Read over these paragraphs and Read over these paragraphs and identifyidentify all all the ways in which Keane conveys his love for the ways in which Keane conveys his love for his new son and his joy at becoming a father.his new son and his joy at becoming a father.

(When doing this you should consider (When doing this you should consider techniquestechniques such as such as word choice, use of word choice, use of imagery, use of settingimagery, use of setting . . .) . . .)

2.2. Choose one feature which you particularly Choose one feature which you particularly like: be prepared to talk about this feature like: be prepared to talk about this feature and explain why you feel it is effective.and explain why you feel it is effective.

TASK 2TASK 2

TASK 2TASK 2

• We are now going to look at We are now going to look at all all examples of the extremely effective examples of the extremely effective language that Keane employs in section language that Keane employs in section 1 (Paragraphs 1 - 5) of his letter. 1 (Paragraphs 1 - 5) of his letter.

• Consider the effect of the following Consider the effect of the following quotes from section 1.quotes from section 1.

Quote/EvidenceQuote/Evidence Focus of AnalysisFocus of Analysis Analysis/EvaluationAnalysis/Evaluation““You You are asleep are asleep cradledcradled in my in my left arm and I am learning the left arm and I am learning the art of one-handed typing.”art of one-handed typing.”

““More tiredMore tired, yet , yet more happymore happy than I have ever known her…”than I have ever known her…”

““a a softsoft quiet quiet in our apartmentin our apartment.”.”

““days have days have meltedmelted into night into night and back again.”and back again.”

““a long sentence whose a long sentence whose punctuation marks are feeding punctuation marks are feeding and winding and nappy and winding and nappy changing and these changing and these occasionaloccasional momentsmoments of quiet.” of quiet.”

““the staff of our apartment”the staff of our apartment”

““We had We had wanted youwanted you andand waited for youwaited for you, , imagined youimagined you andand dreamed about youdreamed about you…”…”

““This This gloriousglorious dawn sky dawn sky makes me think we’ll call you makes me think we’ll call you Son of the Eastern Star.”Son of the Eastern Star.”

Narrative Stance – ‘You’Narrative Stance – ‘You’

Tone &Tone &

Word choice – “cradled”Word choice – “cradled”Tone &Tone &Sentence structure – Sentence structure – repetition of “more”repetition of “more”

Setting/Word choice – Setting/Word choice – effect of “soft”effect of “soft”Word choice – “melted”Word choice – “melted”

MetaphorMetaphorWord choice – effect of Word choice – effect of “occasional” and of “occasional” and of “moments”.“moments”.

Sentence structure – Sentence structure – repetition of phrases repetition of phrases containing “and”.containing “and”.

Word choice – Word choice – “glorious”“glorious”

1. What feelings do the new parents 1. What feelings do the new parents have.have.2. What do their feelings help cope 2. What do their feelings help cope with? with?

1. What tone is created in the 1. What tone is created in the apartmentapartment2. What has the birth of his son 2. What has the birth of his son brought Keane?brought Keane?1. What does the writer mean in his 1. What does the writer mean in his use of “days have melted into night”?use of “days have melted into night”?

1. Keane compares his new life to a 1. Keane compares his new life to a long sentence – why is this long sentence – why is this appropriate given his occupation and appropriate given his occupation and how does he develop the idea?how does he develop the idea?

1. Look at this sentence. Comment 1. Look at this sentence. Comment on the structure of this sentence.on the structure of this sentence.2. Comment on the phrase “Wanted 2. Comment on the phrase “Wanted you and waited for you”.you and waited for you”.

1. What feeling does Keane have 1. What feeling does Keane have for his son and the future?for his son and the future?

1. Why does the writer have to learn “one1. Why does the writer have to learn “onehanded typing”?handed typing”?2. The writer’s aim in this paragraph is to2. The writer’s aim in this paragraph is tocreate a tone of calm and tranquillity – what create a tone of calm and tranquillity – what does the word “cradled” suggest to you?does the word “cradled” suggest to you?

AnecdoteAnecdote 1. The optimism Keane feels about his 1. The optimism Keane feels about his son is obvious. Why does he include son is obvious. Why does he include the information about his neighbours?the information about his neighbours?

Quote/EvidenceQuote/Evidence Focus of AnalysisFocus of Analysis Analysis/EvaluationAnalysis/Evaluation““You You are asleep are asleep cradledcradled in my in my left arm and I am learning the left arm and I am learning the art of one-handed typing.”art of one-handed typing.”

““More tiredMore tired, yet , yet more happymore happy than I have ever known her…”than I have ever known her…”

““a a softsoft quiet quiet in our apartmentin our apartment.”.”

““days have days have meltedmelted into night into night and back again.”and back again.”

““a long sentence whose a long sentence whose punctuation marks are feeding punctuation marks are feeding and winding and nappy and winding and nappy changing and these changing and these occasionaloccasional momentsmoments of quiet.” of quiet.”

““the staff of our apartment”the staff of our apartment”

““We had We had wanted youwanted you andand waited for youwaited for you, , imagined youimagined you andand dreamed about youdreamed about you…”…”

““This This gloriousglorious dawn sky makes dawn sky makes me think we’ll call you Son of me think we’ll call you Son of the Eastern Star.”the Eastern Star.”

Narrative Stance – ‘You’Narrative Stance – ‘You’

Tone &Tone &

Word choice – “cradled”Word choice – “cradled”Tone &Tone &Sentence structure – Sentence structure – repetition of “more”repetition of “more”

Setting/Word choice – Setting/Word choice – effect of “soft”effect of “soft”

Word choice – “melted”Word choice – “melted”

MetaphorMetaphorWord choice – effect of Word choice – effect of “occasional” and of “occasional” and of “moments”.“moments”.

Sentence structure – Sentence structure – repetition of phrases repetition of phrases containing “and”.containing “and”.

Word choice – Word choice – “glorious”“glorious”

Suggests that the feeling of Suggests that the feeling of happiness is so great it outweighs happiness is so great it outweighs the tiredness which accompanies the the tiredness which accompanies the birth of a child.birth of a child.Setting - The word suggests the Setting - The word suggests the comfort and peace brought into his comfort and peace brought into his life by the son.life by the son.

The divides between periods of time The divides between periods of time are blurred or removed and time are blurred or removed and time means nothing.means nothing.The writer’s profession and his daily The writer’s profession and his daily routine are both entwined and routine are both entwined and connected: successful work depends connected: successful work depends on the quiet.on the quiet.

Keane indicates how badly they Keane indicates how badly they wanted a child and how much this wanted a child and how much this was on their minds.was on their minds.

The new day, and the sight of dawn The new day, and the sight of dawn breaking, are symbolic of hope and breaking, are symbolic of hope and optimism.optimism.

The writers aim is to create a tone of The writers aim is to create a tone of calm and tranquillity. His baby is calm and tranquillity. His baby is comfortable and safe comfortable and safe

AnecdoteAnecdoteTheme of hope and optimism is Theme of hope and optimism is shared by strangers/better future shared by strangers/better future expectedexpected

Section 2Section 2(Paragraphs 6 – opening (Paragraphs 6 – opening

of para 11)of para 11)

FergalFergal - Life as war correspondent – - Life as war correspondent –

How this makes him protective of How this makes him protective of his sonhis son

Read paragraphs 6 – 11Read paragraphs 6 – 11• Paragraph 6 Paragraph 6 marks a new direction in the “letter”. marks a new direction in the “letter”.

• Keane takes a Keane takes a critical look at himselfcritical look at himself and and his his views on lifeviews on life before Daniel’s arrival. before Daniel’s arrival.

• As a war correspondent As a war correspondent his values were his values were radically different to what they are nowradically different to what they are now that he that he is a father. is a father.

• In this section he also considers In this section he also considers the suffering he the suffering he has witnessed in his job.has witnessed in his job.

• This This sufferingsuffering is experienced by is experienced by children alonechildren alone and Keane is acutely aware of and Keane is acutely aware of Daniel’s Daniel’s vulnerabilityvulnerability..

TASK 1TASK 1

ParagraphsParagraphs6 & 76 & 7

TASK 1TASK 1• Read paragraphs 6 & 7Read paragraphs 6 & 7

carefully.carefully.

• As you do so, make notes on As you do so, make notes on the following:-the following:-

• Imagery, Imagery, • Word choice, Word choice, • Ideas presentedIdeas presented

• By close reference to the By close reference to the aboveabove, explain how Keane , explain how Keane indicates that his indicates that his view on view on livingliving has changed.has changed.

Quote/EvidenceQuote/Evidence Focus of AnalysisFocus of Analysis Analysis/EvaluationAnalysis/Evaluation

‘‘Your coming has Your coming has turned turned meme upside upside downdown.’.’

‘‘II know, know, II have lived a have lived a life that, on occasion, life that, on occasion, has has veeredveered close to the close to the edge: war zones, edge: war zones, natural disasters, natural disasters, darkness in all its darkness in all its shapes and forms.’shapes and forms.’

‘‘What people say about What people say about us is reason enough to us is reason enough to gamble with deathgamble with death.’.’

‘‘I wonder how I could I wonder how I could ever have thought that ever have thought that glory and prizesglory and prizes and and praise were sweeter praise were sweeter than than lifelife.’.’

Narrative Stance – ‘me’Narrative Stance – ‘me’

&&

MetaphorMetaphor

Narrative stance – ‘I’Narrative stance – ‘I’Word choice - ‘veered’Word choice - ‘veered’&&Sentence StructureSentence Structure

MetaphorMetaphor

Word choiceWord choice -’veered’ gives the -’veered’ gives the sense he has been inches away sense he has been inches away from death due to the risks he from death due to the risks he takes, like a car on the edge of a takes, like a car on the edge of a cliff cliff

StructureStructure – lists most dangerous – lists most dangerous places he has been to emphasise places he has been to emphasise the risks he once tookthe risks he once took

His ego and need to please and His ego and need to please and receive praise outweighed his receive praise outweighed his own safety previously. He now own safety previously. He now finds this ridiculous notionfinds this ridiculous notion

No longer recognises the person No longer recognises the person he was. Realises the need to put he was. Realises the need to put his son before everything else. his son before everything else. Will this impact on how he does Will this impact on how he does his job?his job?

NarrativeNarrative – Focus changed from – Focus changed from Daniel to father.Daniel to father.MetaphorMetaphor – Idea that his view of – Idea that his view of life has totally changed. Is this life has totally changed. Is this wholly positive?wholly positive?

Theme Theme – – sense of sense of responsibilityresponsibility

TASK 2TASK 2

ParagraphsParagraphs8, 9 & 108, 9 & 10

TASK 2TASK 2• Read paragraphs 8, 9 & 10Read paragraphs 8, 9 & 10


• As you do so, make notes on the As you do so, make notes on the following:-following:-

• Setting, Setting, • Word choice, Word choice, • Ideas presentedIdeas presented

• By close reference to the aboveBy close reference to the above, , explain how he also considers explain how he also considers the the suffering he has witnessed in suffering he has witnessed in his job.his job.

• This This sufferingsuffering is experienced by is experienced by children alonechildren alone and Keane is and Keane is acutely aware of acutely aware of Daniel’s Daniel’s vulnerabilityvulnerability..


‘‘I am I am painedpained, perhaps , perhaps hauntedhaunted is is a better word, by the memory … a better word, by the memory … of each suffering child I have of each suffering child I have come across.’come across.’

‘‘Growing ever more faint as the Growing ever more faint as the wind blew dust on to his wounds’wind blew dust on to his wounds’

‘‘He was nice before but now he He was nice before but now he has the hunger.’has the hunger.’

‘‘There is one last memory of There is one last memory of Rwanda … beaten to death.’Rwanda … beaten to death.’

‘‘The children had died holding on The children had died holding on to their mother, that instinct we to their mother, that instinct we all learn from birth and in one all learn from birth and in one way or another cling to until we way or another cling to until we die.’die.’

Sentence Structure – Sentence Structure –

Climactic/Climactic/

emotive languageemotive language

Anecdote/Anecdote/Imagery - ShockingImagery - Shocking

Word Choice – Word Choice – ‘Pained/Haunted’‘Pained/Haunted’Setting - contrastSetting - contrast

ToneTone - sufferingsuffering

Suddenly the birth of child has made Suddenly the birth of child has made his memories much more painful as his memories much more painful as he can now imagine the same pain he can now imagine the same pain being inflicted on his own son. His being inflicted on his own son. His detachment as a professional detachment as a professional reporter has been lostreporter has been lost

Emphasises pain and suffering in Emphasises pain and suffering in the world. Helps explain the world. Helps explain protectiveness of his son protectiveness of his son

Sentence structureSentence structure – building to – building to shocking climaxshocking climaxThe use of The use of emotive languageemotive language ransacked/ beaten/ huddled emphasise ransacked/ beaten/ huddled emphasise shocking violence/affect readershocking violence/affect reader

This reflects Keane’s own life. His This reflects Keane’s own life. His mother was left alone to bring him up mother was left alone to bring him up as his father became victim to as his father became victim to alcoholism.alcoholism.

Here Keane gives detail about the Here Keane gives detail about the wounds and hardships the children wounds and hardships the children in war torn countries are suffering. in war torn countries are suffering. The detail of this anecdote and The detail of this anecdote and image makes the text more emotive image makes the text more emotive and engaging.and engaging.

Theme – Prelude to Theme – Prelude to next paragraphnext paragraph


‘‘I am I am painedpained, perhaps , perhaps hauntedhaunted is is a better word, by the memory … a better word, by the memory … of each suffering child I have of each suffering child I have come across.’come across.’

‘‘Growing ever more faint as the Growing ever more faint as the wind blew dust on to his wounds’wind blew dust on to his wounds’

‘‘He was nice before but now he He was nice before but now he has the hunger.’has the hunger.’

‘‘There is one last memory of There is one last memory of Rwanda … beaten to death.’Rwanda … beaten to death.’

‘‘The children had died holding on The children had died holding on to their mother, that instinct we to their mother, that instinct we all learn from birth and in one all learn from birth and in one way or another cling to until we way or another cling to until we die.’die.’

Section 3aSection 3a(Paragraphs 11 – (Paragraphs 11 –

Paragraph 15)Paragraph 15)

Fergal’s FatherFergal’s Father - - AlcoholicAlcoholic – –

How this makes him even more How this makes him even more protective protective

TASK 1TASK 1

ParagraphsParagraphs11 - 1511 - 15

TASK 1TASK 1• Read paragraphs 11 - 15Read paragraphs 11 - 15


• As you do so, make notes on As you do so, make notes on the following:-the following:-

• Narrative Stance Narrative Stance • Word choice, Word choice, • Ideas presentedIdeas presented

• By close reference to the By close reference to the aboveabove, explain how Keane , explain how Keane fears his son having a similar fears his son having a similar childhood to his own and his childhood to his own and his determination to never let determination to never let this happen.this happen.

Quote/EvidenceQuote/Evidence Focus of Focus of AnalysisAnalysis

Analysis/EvaluationAnalysis/Evaluation

““But there is something more …” But there is something more …”

‘‘A big city on a January morning A big city on a January morning with snow on the ground.’with snow on the ground.’

SettingSetting

Fiction/Fiction/Non-Fiction?Non-Fiction?

Change in Change in Narrative StanceNarrative Stance

The narrative changes from second to third The narrative changes from second to third person. The change removes or distances person. The change removes or distances him from the action initially. We expect a him from the action initially. We expect a story told in third person by a neutral and story told in third person by a neutral and omniscient author; but it becomes clear – omniscient author; but it becomes clear – through convincing detail - that he is telling through convincing detail - that he is telling his own storyhis own story

This sentence acts as a turning point, with This sentence acts as a turning point, with Keane telling Daniel that another reason why Keane telling Daniel that another reason why he feels so protective towards his son is that he feels so protective towards his son is that he never really knew his own father who had he never really knew his own father who had died, an alcoholic, separated from his wife died, an alcoholic, separated from his wife and family.and family.

People criticise Keane for being People criticise Keane for being melodramatic in these paragraphs. He melodramatic in these paragraphs. He “overdoes” the drama and emotion of the “overdoes” the drama and emotion of the moment. Keane was not there and has moment. Keane was not there and has made some of his narrative up (based on made some of his narrative up (based on facts) for dramatic effect. So is the setting facts) for dramatic effect. So is the setting made to seem worse to emphasise his made to seem worse to emphasise his mother’s struggles and hardships?mother’s struggles and hardships?

If the facts are accurate but the detail faulty, If the facts are accurate but the detail faulty, does this make these paragraphs less does this make these paragraphs less reliable as a non-fiction account?reliable as a non-fiction account?



‘‘Her husband comes that night Her husband comes that night and weeps with joy.’and weeps with joy.’

‘‘On his own, in a one roomed flat, On his own, in a one roomed flat, living and dying for the bottle.’living and dying for the bottle.’

‘‘The cancer of alcoholism ate The cancer of alcoholism ate away at the man and he lost his away at the man and he lost his family. This was not something family. This was not something he meant to do or wanted to do, it he meant to do or wanted to do, it just was.’just was.’

Tone - LossTone - Loss

Change in Change in Narrative StanceNarrative Stance

He describes his mother as "a woman", to He describes his mother as "a woman", to distance himself from his own background distance himself from his own background as he now sees how similar his parents are as he now sees how similar his parents are to him and his wife.to him and his wife.Here he refers to his father as “her Here he refers to his father as “her husband". This is because the father's husband". This is because the father's experience mirrors Fergal Keane's own life experience mirrors Fergal Keane's own life and the fears that he has about how good a and the fears that he has about how good a parent he will be.parent he will be.

Sadness – never got to speak to his Sadness – never got to speak to his father before he died. Feelings of father before he died. Feelings of regretregret

By distancing himself from his father, he also By distancing himself from his father, he also makes it easier for him to forgive as his dad makes it easier for him to forgive as his dad has been made out like any other man and has been made out like any other man and his unfortunate circumstances could have his unfortunate circumstances could have happened to anyone.happened to anyone.

Imagery, word Imagery, word choice, sentence choice, sentence structure.structure.

Section 3bSection 3b(Paragraphs 16) (Paragraphs 16) Final ParagraphFinal Paragraph

- - Link back to DanielLink back to Daniel - -

Return to love, joy but also gives Return to love, joy but also gives tone of hopetone of hope

Read the final paragraph.Read the final paragraph.• Keane finishes off in a positive and Keane finishes off in a positive and

optimistic fashion.optimistic fashion.

• The tone is one of joy and love, which The tone is one of joy and love, which pervaded the early paragraphs. pervaded the early paragraphs.

• You are now going to note down any You are now going to note down any examples of language employed by examples of language employed by Keane (and name the technique) to Keane (and name the technique) to achieve this effect.achieve this effect.



‘‘I thought of your I thought of your grandfather’grandfather’

"The sound of "The sound of hope and new hope and new beginnings that beginnings that you and all your you and all your innocence and innocence and freshness have freshness have brought to the brought to the world"world"

Keane ends his letter with a more Keane ends his letter with a more hopeful tone. He is looking forward hopeful tone. He is looking forward more to the future as he thinks more to the future as he thinks about how his own father would be about how his own father would be proud to hear his grandson.proud to hear his grandson.

Because Fergal Keane has used Because Fergal Keane has used very precise detail in his letter to very precise detail in his letter to his son, the reader is given much his son, the reader is given much more powerful imagery and a real more powerful imagery and a real sense of what Keane writes about.sense of what Keane writes about.

Tone – HopeTone – Hope

Effective ending, Effective ending,

Narrative Narrative Structure - Structure - Father (link back Father (link back to Daniel)to Daniel)-- Imagery,Imagery, word choice.word choice.

ff

What are you being What are you being asked to do?asked to do?

• Choose a novel or a short story or a work of Choose a novel or a short story or a work of non fiction which explores an important theme. non fiction which explores an important theme.

• By referring to appropriate techniques, show By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has explored this themehow the author has explored this theme

Identify what the theme is.

Why is this theme important?

What techniques does the poet use to explore theme?

How has the poet’s word choice etc. conveyed the theme of the text (Love)?

Letter to Daniel

Documents

Transcript of Letter to Daniel