A closely connected level of analysis is the use of recurrent 'key-words', which often play an important structural role. For example, if the same adjective is used to describe two characters, it seems that some thematic link is being made between them; the same is true, of course, if contrasting adjectives are used. In "My First Goose" the recurrent words are mainly terms of violence. Clearly these create a particular atmosphere, but also serve a structural function, of binding certain characters or events together, making certain inferences about their relationship to one another which otherwise would not be so apparent.

Savitsky is described by, and uses, a whole series of terms of violence. All of them are verbs, which reinforces still further his brutal dynamism. They are:

'he cut the hut in two'; 'struck with his whip'; 'I'll crush it on the spot'; 'yelled'; 'but here they'll...