Language

Style of writing

The short story “Beyond the Pale” by Rudyard Kipling uses some language that is typical of the late 19th century, which can be sometimes hard to follow for the modern reader. It includes old-fashioned words like “women-folk” (l. 18), “gully” (l. 15), etc. To give local color and authenticity, the author also uses a few Hindu words and names including: “Amir Nath” (l. 95), “memsahib” (l. 144), “sahib” (l. 149), etc. These words also imply that most readers will be aware of the context of the British Raj in India

The story also includes various words that convey negative images and meanings, especially towards the beginning of the story, which helps to set the tragic atmosphere: “paid for it heavily” (l. 10), “grated window” (l. 15), “narrow dark Gully” (l. 21), “blue slime” (l. 22) etc.

The tone of the story stands out because it is very straightforward and harsh at times, with the narrator openly voicing his criticism and ideas: “Trejago knew far too much about these things, as I have said. No Englishman should be able to translate object-letters” (ll. 56-57). The language is not very emotional, which functions as a technique to convey Trejago’s unsy...