H is for Hawk (Edexcel IGCSE English Language A)
Revision Note
Written by: Deb Orrock
Reviewed by: Kate Lee
H is for Hawk Analysis
Students studying the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language A qualification must study all ten of the non-fiction texts in Part 1 of the Edexcel IGCSE English Language Anthology in preparation for Paper 1. You will be given one of the ten readings in your exam, along with another unseen text, which are thematically linked. Section A, Question 4 will specifically be about the anthology text, and Question 5 will ask you to compare the anthology text with the unseen text.
The following guide to H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald contains:
H is for Hawk overview
H is for Hawk summary
Themes, ideas and perspectives in H is for Hawk
How does Macdonald present her ideas and perspectives?
H is for Hawk overview
Helen Macdonald, an English writer and naturalist, wrote the non-fiction book H is for Hawk in 2014, following the unexpected death of her father. In it, she describes the year after the death of her father training a Northern goshawk she named Mabel. The extract used for the anthology is taken from the part of the book in which Macdonald meets her hawk for the first time, and she feels a deep connection to the bird.
H is for Hawk summary
The extract begins in medias res with the goshawk breeder checking his paperwork and carefully unhinging the box containing the bird. There are actually two birds: Macdonald’s goshawk and someone else’s, so to complete the sale, they must check the numbers on the bird’s ankle tag against the paperwork.
Macdonald sees the bird for the first time as it emerges from the crate and describes its reaction to being let out, as well as her impressions of it. The hawk’s hood has come off, causing her to panic, and Macdonald appreciates the concern of the breeder who had reared her since she hatched in an incubator. Macdonald helps by putting the hood back on the hawk, but then they realise that this was the wrong bird: she was meant to take home the second one. The other hawk is taken out, but Macdonald does not feel the same sense of connection she felt to the first. She asks if it would be possible for her to take the first hawk instead, as she sensed a close bond with it.
Themes, ideas and perspectives in H is for Hawk
Paper 1, Question 4 will ask you to explore how the writer has used language and structure to present a theme or idea within their text. Paper 1, Question 5 will ask you to compare how the writer presents their ideas and perspectives with the unseen text.
What are the key themes in H is for Hawk?
Theme | Analysis |
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Connection with nature |
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Grief |
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How does Macdonald present her ideas and perspectives?
Macdonald uses a variety of language and structural techniques to present her ideas and perspectives.
Technique | Analysis |
Short sentences |
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Repetition |
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Metaphors and similes |
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Polysyndeton |
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Internal dialogue |
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For more guidance on how to get top marks in your exam, check out our comprehensive revision notes on the English Language paper:
Question 4 Skills: Language and Structure Analysis
And see our guides for the other IGCSE English Language Anthology texts here:
Explorers or boys messing about? Either way, taxpayer gets rescue bill |
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