Close Analysis of the Wasp Factory Pages 230-236Close analysis of The Wasp Factory pages 230-236language – repetition of flames, long descriptions (supernatural + revenant) structure – lack of speechlinks to other texts – experimentation and Frankenstein This section of the book can first be seen as gothic due to Banks use of gothic language. Frank describes his father as “monstrous” so thus draws a direct link between supernatural beings and his father. The use of the word monstrous both makes Franks father seem different to that a normal human, but it also reflects his fathers monstrous actions when choosing to experiment on Frank and himself. Monsters have been used on a wider gothic context in novels such as Dracula, and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and act as a catalyst for haunting and destruction. Monsters generally can be considered as the Unknown, beyond our normal experiences. The Unknown can be a physical place, or it can be more spiritual or supernatural. This also links to ideas on obscurity, a fear of the Unknown. Thus, the description of Franks father as monstrous helps to convey key gothic tropes such as obscurity and the Unknown in order to make this passage excessively gothic.
Banks uses repetition of fire imagery in this passage, coupled with the repetition of screams. Fire consumes, warms, and illuminates, but can also bring pain and death; thus, its symbolic meaning varies depending upon the context of its use. In The Wasp Factory fire is used as the predominant symbol of hell and pain. By emphasising flames and fore in this passage, Banks is able to draw connotations to the demonic and gothic qualities that both Frank and Eric both have. Eric is seen herding a vast array of sheep on fire, thus only backing this point up further. The fact that a herd of burning sheep are running towards the house can also be seen as an example of the uncanny, something that is seemingly relatable but with a gothic edge. The screaming also seen in this passage comes as a result of the fire, and further highlights the destructive capabilities of fire. Fire can be seen as a particularly gothic feature due to its unpredictability and links to death and hell.
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The fire imagery in this passage also makes for some nice contrasts, showing how the imagery of fire was used by Frank to convey pain and loss as a metaphor. For example, in the second line of the passage Frank describes his own failure in his struggle with cancer, and his anger at being told there was nothing in the world that is normal, but he uses the imagery of his own cancer to emphasize the destruction that is involved. In a similar vein, Eric uses the imagery he has seen from the G-E community in the previous verse so to convey the anger and pain of suicide as a metaphor. The imagery used in this passage is more a reference to his own loss and loss as he has now turned against his own loved ones. However, the G-E community are not the only ones who used violence to communicate this idea. As evidenced through his line “This is how I felt” this imagery is particularly effective as the image of his family appears to be the focus of the fire imagery used in their story. The death imagery also makes this depiction not so much humorous as devastating, and the imagery used in the G-E community could not be more similar to the G-E community if it had been less direct. In this scene in the cemetery as Paul approaches death and the G-E community begin to cry over him, the scene becomes more graphic. Frank’s death imagery also works well to convey the message of death to Frank as this imagery could not be more different from the death imagery used by Frank. A more direct depiction of this death imagery could be heard in the painting of the gothic cross depicting it as the G-E community were trying to communicate the images of their deceased loved ones through this imagery.
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At the end of the story Paul is walking in circles on a dirt road down the street. He takes the stairs and follows the scene of his death imagery. As Paul is following this imagery, the G-E community is chanting at him which becomes more direct and more powerful. This metaphor that is used in this imagery could not endear Frank to the audience. However, it does have some appeal in that it shows that the G-E community could feel comfort in Paul as he is a member of one of their communities at the time, so there seems to be less animosity towards his community, as well as a sense of being able to work with the people at risk, or feel like they know how to do something about their own concerns.
“We don’t hate him much, maybe a little of their concern is probably a little too strong.”
The image of Frank’s family, which he had always cared so much about, is of them looking at each other in the face as they mourn each other’s deaths on the crosswalk or just in the silence. Though Frank himself feels a sense of loss, he does not feel threatened.