EXTRACT 6 THE ELECTRIC CHAIR Chapter 30 from p.239’Melvina was sweeping off…’ down to p.241’ she
Felt sick already’. 1*INTRODUCE THE EXTRACT

1On the morning before Jefferson’s execution, a black truck with a gray tarpaulin cover drives into town. The townspeople are all struck by this strange truck which parks by the courthouse. The night before, Grant and Vivian drink at the Rainbow Club but find they cannot talk. Grant goes
Home slightly drunk wishing he could sleep but not dream. Reverend Ambrose does not sleep, he gets up early and prays for strength during the hours ahead. The sheriff too wakes early as he needs to be at the courthouse.P.239, we learn that the execution is to take place in the storeroom on the bottom floor in the back of the courthouse.

2 The electric chair is the major character as all the actions focus on its arrival. This anticipates Jefferson’s execution. Tension and emotion rise up as we realize the horror of Capital Death.

3 It takes place early in the morning ( at about 8 a.m. ‘ lines 44-45 + 84-85’ ) before J’s execution which is to take place between midday and 3p.m.

4 It is set in Bayonne, near the courthouse where Jefferson is going to be electrocuted to death.

5 In this extract Grant is not the direct narrator ( l.24 )he may report what he has been told (l.32’ Melvina said ‘).It reminds us of the first chapter. Here we see the story through Melvina’s eyes ( l.3’ she saw’ )and Juanita’s ( l.12).We have access to Melvina’s feelings : lines 14-15,24
Then the next paragraph is told from Fee Jinkins’s point of view : line 46 ‘ he saw’ and line 54’ he could hear’

2* PART 1 THE ARRIVAL OF THE ELECTRIC CHAIR

The two women present are Melvina Jack and Juanita deJean. They work at Edwin’s department store ( where Grant bought a radio set).They must be clerks or saleswomen(l .5)Juanita is white whereas Melvina is black ( lines 33-34).Juanita’s position ( work ) in the store is higher than