Analysing the extract
The question
Higher tier
Read the extract then answer the following question. How does Harper Lee create tension in this extract?
Foundation tier
Read the extract then answer the following question. How do we know there is a lot of tension in this extract? Give reasons for what you say and remember to support your answer with words and phrases from the extract.
Remember to only focus on this particular passage.
Look for and comment on the writing techniques that Harper Lee has used.
The extract
In ones and twos, men got out of the cars. Shadows became substance as light revealed solid shapes moving towards the jail door. Atticus remained where he was. The men hid him from view.
He in there, Mr Finch?
a man said.
He is,
we heard Atticus answer, and he’s asleep. Don’t wake him up.
In obedience to my father, there followed what I later realized was a sickeningly comic aspect of an unfunny situation: the men talked in near-whispers.
You know what we want,
another man said. Get aside from the door, Mr Finch.
You can turn around and go home again, Walter,
Atticus said pleasantly. Heck Tate’s around somewhere.
The hell he is,
said another man. Heck’s bunch’s so deep in the woods they won’t get out till morning.
Indeed? Why so?
Called ‘em off on a snipe hunt,
was the succinct answer. Didn’t you think a’that, Mr Finch?
Thought about it, but didn’t believe it. Well, then,
my father’s voice was still the same, that changes things, doesn’t it?
It do,
another deep voice said. Its owner was a shadow.
Do you really think so?
This was the second time I heard Atticus ask that question in two days, and it meant somebody’s man would get jumped. This was too good to miss. I broke away from Jem and ran as fast as I could to Atticus.
Jem shrieked and tried to catch me, but I had a lead on him and Dill. I pushed my way through dark smelly bodies and burst into the circle of light.
H-ey, Atticus?
I thought he would have a fine surprise, but his face killed my joy. A flash of plain fear was going out of his eyes, but returned when Dill and Jem wriggled into the light.
From Chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird
Making a start
Before you go to the next page, make some initial notes on the extract. Use the following points to help you:
- What is going on in this passage?
- Which words or phrases reveal how Atticus feels?
- Which words or phrases reveal how the other men feel?
- Which words or phrases suggest there is a tense atmosphere?
