"Ormolu and gilt"- IMAGERY, these are ornate and elaborate materials. The house increases the formality of the occasion. Suggests the reader is uneasy.
"so stiff you can't sink in" - TONE, demonstrates that the girlfriend feels tense/uncomfortable.
"Tables polished clear enough to see distortions in"- IMAGERY, Suggests a high level of clear and a shiny façade with something darker lurking underneath.

"shuffle stocking-soled"- ALLITERATIVE TONE, demonstrates how the speaker is nervous.
"Dust-cover, drawn shade...fade"- ENJAMBMENT, emphasises the level of care the mother puts in to her house. RHYME, helps convey the writers nervousness. She has obsessive critiques for the house.

"Silver sugar-tongs and silver salver"- ASSONANCE/ALLITERATION, pretentious tone of the mother, excessive for a simple cup of tea, obvious attempt to make the girlfriend uncomfortable = unwelcoming atmosphere.
"glosses over"- WORD CHOICE, suggests the mother is dismissive and does not value their relationship.
"I am all edges, a surface, a shell"- METAPHOR, list of 3 conveys how fragile and tense she feels. She cannot show her true self.
"what squirms beneath her surface I can tell"- WORD CHOICE, suggests slimy, unpleasant things that cannot be said, implies the mother to be two faced.
"capped tooth, polished nail"- IMAGERY, illustrates both sides of the woman.

"never, never can escape"- TONE, dark and menacing.
"my rival"- WORD CHOICE, refers to her as her enemy/ competitor.

"Lady of the house. Queen bee."- WORD CHOICE, euphemism depicts her to be the dominant position. Creates a stand-offish tone.
"far more...far more"- REPETITION, reinforces the importance of not underestimating the influence she exerts over her son/
"my own worst enemy" - same as "my rival"
"unconscious"- WORD CHOICE, underhand means that the mother uses to win back her son.

"She dishes up her dreams for breakfast"- ALLITERATIVE METAPHOR, her hopes and expectations for her son are being lost. She cares a lot about him.
"She won't give up"- ENJAMBMENT, slows down the reader and emphasises the battle will continue.

	Created by Megan Campbell over 8 years ago

Higher School Certificate(HSC ) English Note on My Rivals House, created by Megan Campbell on 24/01/2016.