AS English Short Stories A Horse and Two Goats R.

R.K Narayan Level Three Statements 1) The ways in which individuals understand the world may ultimately exist at opposing ends of a cultural spectrum 2) Misunderstandings exist prominently in our world; ultimately as a result of cultural barriers and differences Start The story opens with an extremely long and complex sentence; filled with detail which in effect, foreshadows and mirrors the atmosphere of confusion which occurs later in the story. The descriptions of the setting are explicit, and clearly depict the poverty in which the narrator is living in. We also see characterisations of Munis age through Aryans choice of diction Middle There is a major juxtaposition introduced when we see the American man appear in the short story. He is rich, and wealthy brought up in a completely different place to Muni and thus their cultural differences are clear. He intends to purchase something from Muni yet Muni interprets this differently and we see that there is a complete lack of comprehension between the two characters. This introduces a major proposition. The previously introduced confusion is also emphasized End The story moves full circle following the meeting with the American as we move back to the poverty. Yet now there is an element of comedy as the confusion continues until the end of the story. Ultimately, we understand the message of the story is an indication of how culturally different individuals may be and what this may cause

Quotes (Effects/Terminology) 1) Of the seven hundred iron-hooped wheels of bullock carts - Author immediately opens with a long and complex sentence. The sentence structure here reflects an element of tangled confusion which will appear throughout the story 2) Brick and cement - Simple, detailed elements of the setting are clear third world propositions which portrays the primitive part of the world 3) In his prosperous day - Suggestion of change Munis wealth was in the past 4) Faggots and dry sticks, Millet cooked into a little ball - Such phrases create effective images of the setting which accentuate the medieval, peasantlike living standards 5) Old and older, four teeth, may not be alive - Characterized as elderly people who are past their days. They are elderly people who are close to death, and living in poverty 6) Fatigue of his visit to the shop

- The adjective shows that everyday life is tiring. Extremely negative propositions throughout 7) He noticed now a new sort of vehicle coming down at full speed - The adjective new suggests change. The action and plot is moving forward, developing. The noun vehicle immediately shows contrast to the previous moments where any sign of modernity is absent 8) Yes, no! - Their conversation lacks communication Munis short dialogue shows how limited his English is, and this leads to creating major understanding problems 9) Silver, New York, Cigarette - The American is characterized as a rich figure that is high in the spectrum as opposed to Muni. They are people of completely different individuals who have no common features at all. The juxtaposition thus explores the main theme (misunderstandings as a result of cultural barriers) 10) He understood nothing - Clear 11) Their conversation continues to run as the story progresses and there is obviously no understanding between the two - there is no way of registering each others reality 12) I repeat I am not a millionaire. Ours is a modest business; after all, we cant afford to buy more than sixty minutes Air ticket, boat - The scale of his wealth is ridiculous and the juxtaposition between the two characters becomes stronger and stronger, as well as the confusion 13) We can do anything of we have a basis of understanding - The most important phrase of the short story. In our society, if we have no basis of understanding then nothing can be achieved. Communication and comprehension is key; but when our cultural differences are so heavy, we almost cant do anything 14) The old man now realised that some financial element was entering their talk, Now the truth dawned on the old man - There is an element of comedy here as there is finally some sense of mutual understanding between the two 15) Wondering if by a miracle food would drop from the sky - Back to poverty 16) Where is that man? Dont you know you are his? Why did you come back? - Dialogue. Authentic questioning voice of Muni shows confusion lasting until the end of the story