Life of Pi

how pi describe the hyena

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"I am not one to hold a prejudice against any animal, but it is a plain fact that the spotted hyena is not well served by its appearance. It is ugly beyond redemption. Its thick neck and high shoulders that slope to the hindquarters look as if they’ve come from a discarded prototype for the giraffe, and its shaggy, coarse coat seems to have been patched together from the leftovers of creation. The colour is a bungled mix of tan, black, yellow, grey, with the spots having none of the classy ostentation of a leopard’s rosettes; they look rather like the symptoms of a skin disease, a virulent form of mange. The head is broad and too massive, with a high forehead, like that of a bear, but suffering from a receding hairline, and with ears that look ridiculously mouse-like, large and round, when they haven’t been torn off in battle. The mouth is forever open and panting. The nostrils are too big. The tail is scraggly and unwagging. The gait is shambling. All the parts put together look doglike, but like no dog anyone would want as a pet." Chapter 43

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Life of Pi

How does the writer use language to describe the hyena's appearance?

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Words or phrases

Language features and techniques

Sentence form

In this extract, the writer uses several structural features to convey their point of view about the appearance of the spotted hyena. These structural features include: 1. Sentence structure: The writer uses predominantly short, concise sentences to emphasize their negative opinion of the hyena's appearance. These short sentences help create a sense of directness and make the writer's critique more impactful. 2. Listing: The writer lists various physical characteristics of the hyena, such as its shaggy coat, broad head, mouse-like ears, open mouth, etc. This listing technique allows the writer to detail each unflattering characteristic separately, providing a comprehensive and vivid depiction of the hyena's appearance. 3. Comparisons: The writer compares the hyena's various features to those of other animals, such as a leopard, a bear, and a mouse, to emphasize their unattractiveness. These comparisons help the reader form mental associations and reinforce the writer's negative perception of the hyena's appearance. 4. Adjectives and descriptive language: The writer uses strong and negatively charged adjectives like "ugly beyond redemption," "bungle mix of colors," "ridiculously mouse-like," and "scraggly and unwagging" to add emphasis and emphasize their disdain for the hyena's appearance. The use of descriptive language contributes to the overall tone of the extract. 5. Overall organization: The extract is organized in a way that introduces the negative features of the hyena's appearance, describes each feature in detail, and concludes with a statement that reinforces the writer's opinion. This organization helps build a coherent argument against the hyena's attractive appearance.