Me and Ma Gal Hell Tar

Conflict

Hell Tar

Questions This chapter is important to answer questions about: Turning point Conflict between characters Setting

p51 The chapter starts by establishing a darker atmosphere “you could feel the Hell Tar inside shakin The Pipe on its concrete ledge an tryin to throw you off.” Dillon uses personification to make the setting seem more frightening

Setting The setting makes Derrick and the reader feel uncomfortable Physically - “The Pipe was that colour of green that makes you feel sick.” Through imagery - “the snowy valley stuck the Pipe out like a sore leg.” Use of repetition - “So as you walked along you got scareder and scareder an the trees curled in over your head from the steep sides of the Valley so that it got darker and darker.”

The adult world We only ever get hints and suggestions about Derrick’s family Alcohol seems to be a big part of adults lives: “I still can’t wait to grow up an drink as much as I want any time I want.” Derrick seems to really admire his father: “I loved talkin about concrete cos ma Da used to make them kind of walls.”

Conflict between characters There is another suggestion that Derrick does not feel he can be completely open with Gal: “Gal never knew about the Hell Tar...he’d have told me I’m a right roaster an laughed his nut off.” The disagreement escalates: He looked at me to make sure I knew I was talkin crap. Derrick gets excessively upset An I stood there wishin he was dead. I wished Strangler Joe would jump out the trees an choke the life right out of him.

Tension Derrick is scared of walking along the Pipe “I used to worry that... I’d die there while he [Gal] ran home to tell them” What techniques add to Dillon’s creation of tension here? “Up the Pipe in the scrunched trees somethin’s movin through at me...The trees burst open. SHIT! A big tall skinny man. Like him out of Syko. Walkin so fast that he’s runnin with his legs straight. He’s all dressed like a Coffin Carrier.”

Relief The end of the chapter shows Gal and Derrick are still close: “I member I wanted him to come across and cuddle me.” Gal encourages him: “Gal’s face tries harder.” (synecdoche) The chapter ends in relief for Derrick and the reader: “I was purple with fear and happiness.”