By referring to at least two examples, analyse how both dialogue and stage directions reveal the extreme nature of Alec’s treatment of Isa.

"You say Peter Robb tae me again an I’ll kill ye! I wull! I’ll kill ye!." This sudden exclamation emphasises' Alec's sudden aggressive turn. Such a sharp turn from an uncomfortable but not yet violent discussion, to a declaration of murderous intent is striking. Indeed, this conveys the extreme nature of Alec's treatment of Isa, being capable of such a violent insult. "He gets hold of her by the throat: she makes strangling noises." Previously their arguments had been purely verbal, so seizing Isa by the neck shows how violent their relationship can become. Alec acting on his outcry and trying to strangle her shows how extreme their relationship is, going beyond pure threats and insult, and descending into domestic violence."(frightened first, then angry)." Immediately after Alec drops Isa after coming to his senses, Isa strikingly is described as frightened, incredibly untypical of her. For Alec to be able to push Isa into genuine fear shows how serious his attacking her was, and the extreme violence in their relationship."wait on, Isa! I’ll get ye onythin ye want . . . a fur coat an crockydile shoes." immediately after attacking Isa, Alec takes a stark U-turn into an attitude of extreme conciliation, promising her anything she could want. This violent see saw of emotions, not only in Isa' emotions, but Alec's shows how volatile their relationship is and how extreme Alec's emotions shift.

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