The darkened workshop

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

The workshop lamp had gone out. Michael held the broken hinge near the window, but the evening light was too weak to show the crack. He could leave it until morning. His sister’s trunk, however, was needed for the early coach. He set the hinge down, searched the shelf and found the candle left from winter.

The flame made a small island of light around the bench. Beyond it, the tools disappeared into shadow. Michael worked slowly, testing each screw before tightening it. Twice he began again. When the lid finally closed, he opened it once more to be certain. His sister called from the house. He carried the trunk towards her, keeping one hand beneath the repaired corner.

Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to show Michael’s growing determination. Support your answer with references to the passage.