What does the repetition of the phrase 'I couldn't' tell us?
The repetition of 'I couldn't' reveals Jahnavi's deep fear and lack of self-confidence. She repeats the phrase twice with an exclamation mark, showing her strong emotional reaction to the idea of going to school.
The repetition emphasizes how overwhelmed she feels by fear—fear of being scolded, fear of being chased away, and fear of not being accepted.
It shows that despite wanting to go to school, her anxiety holds her back.
Explanation
On Page 4, Jahnavi says 'I couldn't' twice in quick succession: 'I couldn't,' gasped Jahnavi. 'I couldn't! They'd scare me! They'd chase me out.' The repetition and the word 'gasped' show her fear and anxiety about going to school.
Solution Steps
The repetition of 'I couldn't' reveals Jahnavi's deep fear and lack of self-confidence
She repeats the phrase twice with an exclamation mark, showing strong emotional reaction
The repetition emphasizes multiple fears: being scolded, chased away, and not being accepted
Despite wanting to go to school, her anxiety prevents her from acting