What are the main literary devices used in “The Darkness Out There”?
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A story set in relatively modern times
Explores preconceived ideas about old people
Challenges stereotypes
Examines the Second World War from
another perspective – often the German
side’s story/struggle is ignored
Explores the theme of growing up
Sinister story
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A teenage girl called Sandra sets off to help look after an
old lady.
The old lady she is going to see is called Mrs Rutter.
She is helping this old lady out because she works for a
care in the community scheme called “The Good
Neighbours’ Club”
Whilst helping Mrs Rutter out, Kerry (another male helper)
asks her about the German plane that was bombed down
in the war nearby.
Mrs Rutter reveals the ugly truth about the incident.
Both Kerry and Sandra leave Mrs Rutter’s house feeling
saddened. They both realise how dark and cruel the world
can be after hearing a seemingly sweet old woman
describe how she left an airman for dead in the war.
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Sinister
Dark
Graphic
Tragic
Horrifying
Alarming
Human
Worrying
Uncomfortable
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A moment in one’s life when things become
clear.
Sandra’s epiphany/moment of realisation
occurs at the end of this story when she
suddenly realises that life is not as beautiful
and as golden as it may seem; it is dark and
destructive.
“ She walked...through a world grown unreliable, in which flowers sparkle and
birds sing but everything is not as it appears to be, oh no.”
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Themes
Growing Up/Age/War/Death/Stereotypes/The
brutality of life
Plot
Structure
Mrs Rutter
Sandra
Kerry
Setting