Language
The language of the short story “Clara’s Day” by Penelope Lively is descriptive and easy to follow and understan…
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Choice of words
To give the story authenticity, the writer inserts some typical school slang which recreates a typical school environment: “prep” (p. 51, l. 2), “the first period” (p. 51, l. 2), “O-levels” (p. 52, l. 22), “mocks” (p. 52, l. 25), “form” (p. 53, l. 9), etc.
Similarly, characters are differentiated and individualised through the way they talk. Clara is polite while Stan comes across as trying to sound cool: “ ‘Wotcha! How’s tricks, then?’ and Clara pulled her dressing-gown more closely round her and said, ‘Fine, thanks.’ ‘That’s the stuff,’ said Stan vaguely.” (p. 54, ll. 12-15). The headmistress talks slowly and with a lot of linking words to make Clara feel comfortable: “ ‘There... Well now...So what was all that abo…
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Imagery
The story is filled with imagery that helps readers imagine the setting, the characters, and the action. This imagery is created with the help of adjectives, adverbs, and action verbs. For example we can easily imagine Clara undressing:
…all she had to do was unbutton her blouse, remove it to the floor, and then undo the zipper of her skirt and let that fall. She slipped her feet out of her shoes at the same time and so walked barefoot as well as naked. (p. 50, ll. 9-12)
Another powerful example of imag…
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Similes and metaphors
The short story includes various similes and metaphors which create powerful imagery and add to the story’s meanings.
For example, noise is compared with wind to convey the school’s reaction to Clara undressing in front of everyone: “a sort of rustling noise ran through the assembly hall, like a sudden wind among trees” (p. 50, ll. 13-14)
The head’s office is “like a sitting-room” (p. 51, l. 8) a simile that suggests Clara feels she can relax there.
The happy noises of other pupils are compared with the song of birds to convey their energy and carefree attitude: “the cheerful incomprehensib…
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Repetition
There are several short repetitions in the story which convey the character’s way of talking. For example, Clara uses repetition to sound convincing: “ ‘Oh fine,’ Clara assured her. ‘Absolutely fine.’ ” (p. 52, l. 11)
When the mother repeats the same sentence, the author uses this device to convey the woman’s surprise: “ ‘I don’t believe it!’ she cried. ‘Clara, I simply do not belie…
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Symbols
The story includes a few symbolical elements that relate to themes and conflict.
For example, the undressing episode is a symbolic action through which Clara wants to leave her childhood behind and embrace being an adult (although her understanding of adulthood is probably influenced by her mother). However, the act only brings peace to Clara in that moment as she soon returns to feeling shy and ashamed (sh…
