S2 RC Indian Prisoner

From Paragraph 1, quote a phrase which tells us that the prisoner had a small build.

‘It was like men handling a fish which is still alive and may jump back into the

water.’ (Lines 9-10)? What does this tell us about how the warders were

handling the prisoner?

‘But he stood quite unresisting, yielding his arms limply to the ropes, as

though he hardly noticed what was happening.’ (Lines 10-11) Explain fully the

prisoner’s attitude towards his impending execution.

Explain how the language used in Paragraph 2 highlights the poor condition

that the execution venue was in. Support your idea with 2 details from

Paragraph 2.

Why do you think the warders were ‘gripping the prisoner more closely than

ever’ (Lines 17-18)?

In Paragraph 3, it is written that ‘when the noose was fixed, the prisoner

began crying out on his god. It was a high, reiterated cry of 'Ram! Ram! Ram!

Ram!', not urgent and fearful like a prayer or a cry for help, but steady,

rhythmical, almost like the tolling of a bell.’

i) Quote a phrase suggesting that the prisoner was not feeling desperate

or frightened.

From Paragraph 4, which word suggests that that prisoner’s cries were being

obstructed in some way?

In Paragraph 4 ‘Everyone had changed colour. The Indians had gone grey

like bad coffee, and one or two of the bayonets were wavering.’ (Lines 32-34)

i) What caused everyone to change ‘colour’?

What does ‘one or two of the bayonets were wavering’ suggest about

how the warders were feeling?

Paragraph 4 ends ‘… kill him quickly, get it over, stop that abominable noise’.

What does the italicised word refer to?

In Paragraph 5, which word has the same meaning as ‘fast’?

The prisoner was described as being ‘as dead as a stone’ (Line 42). What is

effective about this description?