How to analyse language
To analyse language you should:
- choose a section from the text and select a quotation from that text which is relevant to the question and the point you wish to make
- consider how the quotation reflects character/theme/context
- look in detail at particular words and phrases to see what effect they have
- say how effective you consider the writer’s choice of language is
Look at the following extract from the play. This dialogue takes place between Eddie and Beatrice shortly after Marco and Rodolpho have arrived. Eddie is troubled because Rodolpho and Catherine seem to be attracted to one another.
Beatrice
Well, he’s a kid; he don’t know how to behave himself yet.Eddie
And with that wacky hair; he’s like a chorus girl or sump’m.Beatrice
So he’s blond, so –Eddie
I just hope that’s his regular hair, that’s all I hope.Beatrice
You crazy or sump’m? [She tries to turn him to her.]Eddie
[he keeps his head turned away.] What’s so crazy? I don’t like his whole way.Beatrice
Listen, you never seen a blond guy in your life? What about Whitey Balso?Eddie
[turning to her victoriously.] Sure, but Whitey don’t sing; he don’t do that on the ships.Beatrice
Well, maybe that’s the way they do in Italy.Eddie
Then why don’t his brother sing? Marco goes around like a man; nobody kids Marco. [He moves from her, halts. She realises there is a campaign solidified in him.] I tell you the truth I’m surprised I have to tell you all this. I mean I’m surprised, B.Beatrice
[she goes to him with purpose now.] Listen, you ain’t gonna start nothin’ here.Question
Analyse the language used in this extract. How does Miller use language to achieve dramatic effect?
Miller uses a variety of techniques in this extract which create drama. First of all, he shows the two characters talking in a Brooklyn dialect, with the inclusion of incorrect grammar and double negatives, which are typical of this dialect.
Beatrice tells Eddie, You ain’t gonna start nothin’ here.
This shows that they are uneducated and have lived in the same area of New York all their lives. Eddie interrupts Beatrice, cutting her short when she says, So he’s blond, so –
. This shows his impatience with her, and also suggests that he is rather domineering.
There is a dramatic pause when Eddie is thinking, and the stage directions indicate this when it says, [He moves from her, halts.]
The audience can see that Beatrice knows her husband well, and can tell from his body language that he is becoming worked up, from the rest of the stage direction; [She realises there is a campaign solidified in him.]
It is obvious from the language used in this extract that Miller wants to show how Eddie is becoming concerned that Catherine might fall in love with another man.
At the same time the techniques he uses let the audience see that Beatrice, normally so calm and submissive, is prepared to stand up to her husband to prevent the catastrophe which she can see approaching.