Text A

Grade 7

Penelope Lively's "Moon Tiger" employs varying narrative perspectives in a passage where two children, Claudia and Gordon, hunt for fossils on a cliffside. This narrative technique shapes meaning by revealing the children's inner worlds, the dynamics of their relationship, and their interaction with the environment. The shifting viewpoints enhance the reader's understanding of the characters' emotions, motivations, and the consequences of their actions. This analysis will explore how these varying perspectives enrich the narrative and create a multi-dimensional portrayal of the scene.

The passage begins with a third-person limited perspective focusing on Claudia. This viewpoint allows the reader to delve into her intense enthusiasm and competitiveness as she searches for fossils. The description of her actions, "squats searching furiously," conveys her determination and excitement. The narrative closely follows her thoughts, particularly her suspicion and rivalry towards Gordon. This internal focus reveals her competitive nature and the depth of her engagement with the task at hand. By portraying Claudia's thoughts and emotions, the narrative establishes her character as passionate and fiercely independent. Note the phrase that reads, “out of the corner of her eye she watches Gordon” which further indicates her competitiveness. When she sees Gordon “examining something,” Lively writes, “What has he got?” which articulates what Claudia's thinking as “suspicion and rivalry burn her up.” That question is noteworthy as it provides a narrative style where the minds of the readers, that of Claudia, and the voice the narrator seamlessly intersect, thus blurring the lines between the character's internal monologue and the narrative voice. This technique immerses the reader into Claudia's perspective, allowing them to experience her emotions directly and understand her motivations on a deeper level.

The perspective then shifts subtly to include Gordon’s actions and reactions. The narrative describes Gordon "tap-tapping at an outcrop," and his examination of a find, which heightens Claudia's sense of competition. This shift in focus introduces Gordon's presence and his role in the sibling rivalry. The reader becomes aware of the silent, ongoing competition between the siblings, intensifying the tension of the scene. Gordon's protective claim over "his bit" and Claudia's defiant response further emphasize their competitive dynamic. This dual focus not only highlights the children's rivalry but also underscores their individual determination and desire for achievement. Note how as the scene progresses, the narrative perspective shifts again, providing a more balanced view of both children's actions and interactions. This shift is evident when Claudia climbs higher and encounters Gordon. Their physical struggle and verbal exchanges are described from an external viewpoint, allowing the reader to witness the immediacy and intensity of their conflict. The alternating perspectives during their argument, with Gordon's leg blocking Claudia's path and Claudia’s determination to climb higher, create a vivid depiction of their physical and emotional struggle. This balanced perspective underscores the equal intensity of their desires and the friction between their competitive spirits as evidenced by the way Gordon grumbles, “Don’t shove…Anyway you can’t come here,” which accentuates the tension between the siblings. This dialogue showcases their struggle for dominance and space, reflecting their desire for recognition and success, especially with their mother watching.

The climactic moment of the passage occurs when Claudia falls from the cliff. The narrative perspective shifts to a more omniscient viewpoint, describing the event in a detached manner: "a piece of cliff, of the solid world which evidently is not so solid after all, shifts under her clutching hands... crumbles... and she is falling." This shift to an almost impersonal description of the fall contrasts sharply with the previous focus on the children's intense emotions, emphasizing the sudden and uncontrollable nature of the accident. The detachment underscores the fragility of their world and the unforeseen consequences of their rivalry. After Claudia's fall, the narrative perspective shifts to Gordon's viewpoint, capturing his shock and perverse yet competition-driven gratification as Lively writes, “And suddenly there are awful tearing noises and thumps and she is gone, sliding and hurtling down, and in horror and satisfaction he stares.” "This shift allows the reader to understand Gordon's complex emotions, including his initial triumph at reclaiming his territory and his subsequent disbelief at the severity of Claudia’s fall.The internal conflict here humanizes Gordon, showing his actions as a mix of competitiveness and unintended harm while highlighting the complexity of sibling relationships, where rivalry and concern coexist.

The final shift in perspective occurs when the narrative broadens to include the reaction of Edith Hampton, the children's mother. This perspective provides a contrast to the children's intense emotions by introducing a more composed, yet worried, viewpoint. Edith’s ability to "marvel at the furious tenacity of her children" amid the commotion highlights her recognition of their strong-willed nature. Her simultaneous concern for Claudia’s injury and attempt to manage the situation reflect the challenges of parenting spirited children. As Lively writes, “Her head aches; she tries to quell the children and respond to advice and sympathy; she blames the perilous world, so unreliable, so malevolent,” Edith’s internal conflict is depicted as she must strike a balance between empathy and toughness in parenting as her children must learn to be resilient and self-reliant in a world filled with peril and competition. In this fashion, Lively shows the impact of the children’s actions on their mother, thus adding depth to the narrative.

As examined, Penelope Lively uses shifting narrative perspectives to reveal the dynamics of sibling rivalry and familial relationships during a fossil-hunting expedition. Through Claudia's enthusiasm, Gordon's reactions, and their mother Edith’s concern, Lively paints a vivid picture of the scene, enriching the reader's understanding of the characters' emotions and motivations. This technique immerses readers in the complexities of human interactions, highlighting the tensions and challenges of family life.

Criteria	Mark	Feedback
A: Understanding & Interpretation	5	The essay demonstrates a clear understanding of Penelope Lively's use of varying narrative perspectives in the passage from "Moon Tiger." It effectively analyzes how these perspectives shape the meaning of the scene and enrich the reader's understanding of the characters' emotions and motivations. The essay adeptly explores Claudia's competitiveness, Gordon's reactions, and their mother Edith's perspective, providing insightful interpretations of their roles in the narrative.
B: Analysis & Evaluation	5	The essay provides thorough analysis of the shifting narrative perspectives, examining their effects on character development, tension, and thematic exploration. It evaluates the effectiveness of Lively's technique in immersing the reader in the dynamics of sibling rivalry and familial relationships. The analysis is supported by specific examples from the text and offers insightful commentary on the narrative's strengths. It critically evaluates the impact of the narrative technique on the reader's engagement and comprehension.
C: Coherence, Focus, & Organization	5	The essay maintains a clear focus on the narrative technique of shifting perspectives throughout. It is well-organized, with each paragraph dedicated to analyzing a specific aspect of the passage, such as Claudia's perspective, Gordon's reactions, and Edith's viewpoint. Transitions between paragraphs are smooth, guiding the reader through the analysis seamlessly. The essay effectively connects each point back to the central thesis, ensuring coherence and focus.
D: Language	5	The language used in the essay is sophisticated and articulate, effectively conveying the analysis and interpretation of the passage. The essay demonstrates a strong command of vocabulary and sentence structure, enhancing the clarity and readability of the analysis. It employs precise language to describe the narrative technique and its effects on the reader's understanding. The essay maintains a formal tone appropriate for literary analysis.
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