Analysis

An analysis of “A Gap of Sky” by Anna Hope shows that the story is structured chronologically, following Ellie throughout the day. There are several flashbacks inserted into the story, which give readers more information about Ellie and her life in London.

The main character of “A Gap of Sky” is Ellie, a 19-year-old girl. Ellie lives alone in London and finds herself torn between her duty to be a good student and her wish to rebel and be free.

The physical setting is the city of London, where Ellie lives. This setting has an important influence on Ellie’s thoughts and emotions. The social setting is also important, as it presents Ellie as a part of the metropolitan society that exists in London. The text focuses on aspects such as nightlife, drug use, and social and parental expectations.

Although the short story is told by a third-person narrator, readers are able to follow Ellie’s train of thought and have insight into what she thinks and feels. This makes Ellie feel more relatable, while also showing her confusion and the effect of drugs on her state of mind.

The language used in “A Gap of Sky” is mainly informal, as the narrative imitates how a 19-year-old girl speaks and thinks. Short sentences, which frequently use slang and expletives, reflect a natural way of speaking and make the story easier to read and to comprehend.

A full analysis of the short story can be found in the following pages.