Language
The language employed in the short story “Gon-do-la” by Annemarie Neary is quite complex, yet many of the words whose meanings are unknown can be deduced because of the context in which they are used.
First of all, note the many terms belonging to the context of factory production: “foreman” (l. 1), “gantry” (l. 1), “machines” (l. 5), “conveyor belts” (l. 10), “moulds” (l. 13) or “assembly diagram” (l. 32).
Then, focus on words which are most likely indicators of Zhang’s nostalgia and her life under Mao Zedong’s rule: Mao’s quotes (ll. 11-12, ll. 118-119), “medal” (l. 98), “Wall of Supreme Honour” (l. 100), “cornfield” (l. 122) or “comrades” (l. 161).
Though many of the words in the short story may be unknown to the modern reader, a simple online research can easily clarify them and offer details about Mao Zedong’s rule in China and his ideology.
...
The author also uses a few stylistic devices that make her story more attractive:
- Imagery
- Similes
- Metaphors
Imagery
The use of descriptive language in literature is commonly known as imagery. The following fragment creates visual imagery and helps readers better visualise what the factory is producing: “This model was bigger than the others and required two office workers to carry it. Zhang gasped.
...
Metaphors
The “laminated World” (l. 138) is a metaphor for a map that Zhang has in her house. For her, the “laminated World” is perhaps her sole connection to culture, as she is not educated and finds it hard to discuss countries or cities of the world.
...
