Literary Text Analysis

Friday, February 25, 2011

How does the author characterize Mr Beaver? What means does he use to create his portrait?

Posted by Jurga at 2:55 AM 24 comments:
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Posted by Jurga at 11:47 PM No comments:
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest
Newer Posts Home
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

RECOMMENDED READING LIST OF ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE

Jane Austin Emma

Jane Austin Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austin Pride and Prejudice

Charlote Bronte Jane Eyre

Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights

Frank McCourt Angela’s Ashes

Daniel Defoe Robinson Crusoe

Charles Dickens David Copperfield

Charles Dickens Oliver Twist

Charles Dickens Great Expectations

Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol

Theodore Dreiser Sister Carrie

Francis Scott Fitzgerald Tender is the Night

Francis Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby

William Golding Lord of the Flies

Graham Greene The Quiet American

Graham Greene The Power and the Glory

Henry Haggard King Solomon’s Mines

Thomas Hardy Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Thomas Hardy Jude the Obscure

Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter

Ernest Hemingway A Farewell to Arms

Ernest Hemingway Fiesta

John Irving The World According to Garp

John Irving The Cider House Rules

Jerome K. Jerome Three Men in a Boat

James Joyce Dubliners

Jack Kerouac On the Road

Ken Kesey One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest

David Herbert Lawrence Sons and Lovers

David Herbert Lawrence Lady Chatterly’s Lover

Jack London The Call of the Wild

Jack London Martin Eden

William Somerset Maugham Theatre

William Somerset Maugham The Moon and Sixpence

William Somerset Maugham the Painted Veil

Daphne du Maurier Rebecca

Ian McEwan Atonement

Joyce Carol Oats A Garden of Earthly Delights

George Orwell The Animal Farm

George Orwell 1984

Mario Puzo The Godfather

Jerome David Salinger The Catcher in the Rye

Mary Shelley Frankenstein

Robert Louis Stevenson The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Stoker Dracula

William Styron Sophie’s Choice

Kurt Vonnegut Slaughterhouse-Five

Kurt Vonnegut Cat‘s Cradle

Kurt Vonnegut Breakfast of Champions

Oscar Wilde The Picture of Dorian Gray

It is not a complete list. Your choice is welcome. Just consult with the lecturer.

Followers

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2011 (2)
    • ▼  February (2)
      • How does the author characterize Mr Beaver? What m...
      • No title

About Me

Jurga
View my complete profile

A HANDFUL OF DUST by Evelyn Waugh

PART I

PAGES 7–28

INTRODUCTION

  • How is the novel structured?
  • Comment on the title of the novel.
  • What is special about the headings of the chapters?

Chapter I

Understanding the Plot

1. Describe the structure of the chapter.

2. Describe the house Mrs Beaver and her son John Beaver lived in. (pages 7–8)

3. The author gives two reasons why Mr Beaver lived with his mother. Which one, do you think, is the real?

4. What did Mrs Beaver and John Beaver do to earn their living? Can you find the difference between two lifestyles: John and his mother’s? Can you explain the paradox between Mr Beaver’s name and his lifestyle?

5. How does the extract in the parentheses (page 9) characterize Mr Beaver?

6. Why did John’s mother advise him not to phone the Lasts but send a telegram? What implication can we get from that? What did she know about the family John was going to visit?

7. Did Mr Beaver like being invited to the parties? How do you know? Was he invited to Mrs Tipping luncheon party? Are there any differences how Mr Grant-Menzies and Mr Beaver think about Mrs Tipping’s luncheon party?

8. Describe the club. What members did it have?

9. Were the people in the club friendly to Mr Beaver? What parallel did the author draw to show this?

10. How is Tony Last described by Grant-Menzie?

11. What joke did Grant-Menzie play on Mr Beaver?

Exploring themes

Give a portrait of Mr Beaver. What is the author’s attitude towards him? Did you like him?

Language

Definition

Word/phrase

Lithuanian equivalent

1.

p 7 (disapproving) a person who is too interested in unpleasant things such as death and disaster

2.

p 7 to eat sth very fast, in a way that people consider rude or greedy

3.

p 7 simple and plain; without any decorations

4.

p 8 likely to happen very soon

5.

p 9 a situation in which there is confusion about arrangements

6.

p 10 very fashionable and elegant SYN stylish

7.

p 11 happy and cheerful:

a ~ crowd / face / mood

8.

p 11 very cheerful and friendly (noun)

Chapter Two

English Gothic

Understanding the Plot

1. What kind of description does the chapter start with?

2. What was the reason that Tony Last could not make the house comfortable to live?

3. How were the rooms called? What were the names of the rooms where Tony and Brenda live? Do the names say something to you? What was special about Tony’s room?

4. What impression did you get of the house itself?

5. What disagreements are there between Brenda and Tony? What do the words in the parentheses (pg. 21) mean?

6. What is the name of John Andrew’s pony? The name sounds strange and inadequate. Why?

7. Why were Tony and Brenda satisfied that their son was interested in fox hunting? (pg. 22)

8. How did the Lasts react that their son called his nanny “silly old tart”? What arguments did Mr Last use to forbid John from saying such words again? Was Mr Last’s lecture to his son successful? Find a humorous place proving your answer. (pg. 26)

9. What was special about Brenda and Tony’s meals? What use did they get being on a diet? What do you think of it? What did the author want to show by putting his characters on a diet?

10. Comment on the paragraph “What with Brenda’s pretty ways….”

Exploring themes

Find out what the characters’ names in the passage mean? Do they have any significance?

Language

Definition

Word/phrase

Lithuanian equivalent

1.

(p 21) having no purpose; not worth doing.

1.

(p 23) not willing to give clear answers to a question SYN cagey

2.

(p 21) (formal) showing many bright colours that seem to change in different lights.

3.

(p 21) from time to time; occasionally.

4.

(p 26) a feeling, situation, way of behaving, etc. that is as different as possible from another or is opposite to it.

PART II (pages 28–45)

Understanding the Plot

1. How did the Lasts and Mr Beaver feel during the latter’s visit? Find the places in the text to prove this. How does the following sentence characterize Mr Beaver?

“Beaver always did what was expected of him when he was staying away, …” (page 33)

2. Why did Tony go to church? Was he very religious? What was he thinking about during the sermon?

3. What was strange about the vicar’s sermons? (pages 34–35)

4. Was Tony and Beaver’s excursion round the house successful? Why? Was Beaver interested in the house?

5. What does Brenda feel about the house they live in? Can you explain what Brenda meant saying “What fun everyone seems to be having”. (page 29)

Two

6. Why did Brenda go to London on Wednesdays? What did she usually do there?

7. What was Marjorie’s reaction when Brenda told her about Mr Beaver?

8. What was Mrs Beaver doing at the restaurant?

9. What kind of flats was Mrs Beaver letting? Describe the ‘triangle’ Mrs Beaver – flat – Brenda.

10. Polly Cockpurse was holding a “very small secret party”, “just old friends” (page 42). Were the Lasts going to attend it? Why? Did Beaver want to take Brenda to Polly’s party? Why? Did he finally agree?

11. Did Brenda tell Tony everything she was doing in London? Why?

Exploring themes

The passage is full of irony. While reading find these cases and be able to comment on them.

Language

Definition

Word/phrase

Lithuanian equivalent

1.

(p 28) to succeed in doing sth that most people would find difficult

2.

(p 30) (infml, disapproving) weak and not successful SYN feeble:

3.

(p 32) always SYN without fail

4.

(p 37) to increase or further improve the good quality, value or status of sb/sth

Verb:

Noun:

Adj.:

5.

(p 38) to hate sb/sth very much SYN loathe

6.

(p 38) at the end of a period of time or a series of events

7.

(p 40) natural ability or skill at doing sth SYN talent:

8.

(p 42) used to describe feelings that two or more people have for each other equally

9.

(p 44) an act of being slow to speak or act because you feel uncertain or nervous

10.

(p 44) (also coach) (both BrE) (NAmE car) a separate section of a train for carrying passengers

PART III (pages 45–64)

Understanding the Plot

Three

1. What instances of childish thinking can you find? Do they say anything about the reality? (pages 45–46)

2. How did Beaver and Brenda feel when they met?

3. How does the author call their relationships? (page 47)

4. Describe the intimate scene in the taxi.

5. How does the paragraph on page 49 characterize Polly?

6. What kind of people gathered to the party?

7. How was Brenda trying to make Beaver feel?

8. Why didn’t Beaver enjoy the party before the supper?

9. Did Beaver like the people they were having supper with? Was it a mutual feeling? What did Brenda think about it?

10. What did Brenda ask him to do before they parted?

11. Why did she ring him up?

12. How is Beaver described by Brenda and Marjorie? (page 52)

13. Did Beaver call Brenda next morning? Why, do you think?

14. How was Beaver parrying that he hadn’t called?

15. What rumours started to be going round about Brenda and Beaver?

Four

16. How many sentences are there in the paragraph starting with “Ben’s put the rail up ever so high …” What could it mean?

17. What was Brenda’s answer when Tony asked her what she had been doing in London? Did Tony believe it?

18. What was the difference how Tony imagined the flat and the real variant?

19. Why didn’t Brenda mention the name of Mrs Beaver?

20. Did Brenda sound convincing giving arguments for the flat? What does the last sentence mean? (page 57)

21. Why was Marjory disappointed?

22. What did the other people think about Brenda’s affair with Beaver? Has their attitude towards Mr Beaver changed?

23. What does the scene with flowers mean? Did Brenda expect them to be from her husband?

24. Why was the vicar’s sermon strange?

25. What did Brenda think of the Lasts? What did the Lasts think of her? What is meant by the word “poverty”?

26. What was strange about Beaver’s letter? How does it characterize him?

27. Why was Tony polite with Mr Beaver?

28. What is ironic about Brenda’s New Year resolution?

Exploring themes

How does author describe the way the upper / upper middle British society accepts love affairs among married people? What is your opinion about that? Can you compare it to the Lithuanian society?

Language

1. Find a paradox on page55. What does it give to the scene?

2. Translate the sentence:

‘Come to think of it, I shouldn’t be surprised if she had.’

3. What epithet is used to describe the relatives of the Lasts? What could it mean? (p 61)

Definition

Word/phrase

Lithuanian equivalent

1.

(p 46) enjoying playing tricks and annoying people SYN naughty:

a ~ boy / grin / smile / look

2.

(p 47) relaxed and confident and not nervous or embarrassed:

3.

(p 57) (informal) to argue or complain noisily

4.

(p 58) used as a way of saying that you are sorry about sth, usually ironically (= you really mean the opposite)

5.

(p 61) (fml) to be a possible danger to sth/sb SYN threaten

6.

(p 63) to ask sb to support a particular person, political party, etc., especially by going around an area and talking to people

7.

(p 62) more than you need or want SYN unnecessary

8.

(p 62) (fml) pleasant and friendly

Adj.

N.

PART IV (pages 67–86)

Understanding the Plot

One

1. Explain the heading of Chapter Three: HARD CHEESE ON TONY.

2. Why are the men at Brat’s club described as “in evident low spirits”? (p 67) Find the words expressing their state of being upset?

3. Why was Tony having dinner on his own? Why didn’t he stay at Brenda’s?

4. How did Tony’s question to Jock about “having been chucked” sound in the context of being chucked himself by his wife?

5. What was Tony’s attitude to Brenda’s taken up studies and their recent social life? What did he think of the people who had been recently coming to their house? Explain Tony’s words “I mind it like hell”. Why is “I” italicized? (p 69)

6. What does Jock do? Why is he talking about the Pig Scheme? (p 69, p 80)

7. Can you draw a parallel between the things Tony and Jock seem to worry about?

8. Who sent the message that Brenda couldn’t come? How did that fact enhance the absurdity of Tony’s situation? (p 69–70)

9. Do Brenda’s words characterize somehow Beaver (p 71) “Have you got your taxi fare? You’ll find some change in my bag.”?

10. Give a short description of the night club Tony and Jock went to. What role does this episode play in describing Tony’s emotional state and his situation?

11. What is funny or ironic about phoning Brenda so many times?

12. How was Tony feeling next morning? What did he do in order to make up for the situation of the previous night? (p 77, p 79)

13. What was Brenda’s attitude towards Tony and his behaviour after Tony’s visit to London? Who was in fact guilty of the nasty situation and who was the victim? Who reversed the roles of the victim and the guilty?

14. Describe Tony’s attitude to his son after his visit to London? Was it fair? Can you give an example of John Andrew’s common sense?

Two

15. What is Tony’s longed weekend like? Does it meet Tony’s expectations? Why / why not? What did Brenda’s letter to Tony say? What could Tony feel after reading the letter, in your opinion?

16. Can you give an example of John Andrew’s persistence? (p 80)

17. Did Tony like Brenda’s guests? Prove this.

18. Why did Brenda bring Mrs Beaver round? How did her guests find Hetton and the particular room which Brenda was showing them? What do these guests symbolize?

19. Why wasn’t Brenda “looking at Tony” (p 81) when she was talking about the room she was expecting to have?

20. Did Tony see and communicate much with Brenda alone? Could you describe their conversations?

21. Tony brought each lady a flower from his hot houses? Did they like it?

22. What was Brenda’s plan concerning Tony? Did Tony really take to drinking?

23. The dialogue between Tony and his son is full of childish humour. Could you comment on it?

Language

Find the phrases expressing bad mood. (Be / feel pretty low (p 69), be worried about, it’s discouraging)

Definition

Word/phrase

Lithuanian equivalent

1.

(p 77) (formal) to express or explain your thoughts or feelings clearly in words

2.

(p 77) a feeling of violent anger that is difficult to control

3.

(p 78) responsible for an accident, a mistake, an argument, etc.:

4.

(p 78) feeling bitter or angry about sth that you think is unfair

Adj.

Verb

Adv.

Noun

5.

(p79) (disapproving) tending to cry or complain a lot in a way that annoys people:

6.

(p 82) to start speaking or behaving in a different way, often one that is less acceptable.

7.

(p 84) confused

8.

(p 84) to tell sb secrets and personal information that you do not want other people to know:

9.

(p 84, p 85) to begin to do sth as a habit:[+ -ing]

PART V (pages 86–106)

Understanding the Plot

1. What new character appears in part V?

2. What was Tony and Jenny’s conversation like? What was Jenny talking about? What was Tony trying to do?

3. Did John Andrew like Jenny? Why? What did they talk about? On what point was John Andrew persistent?

4. Can you explain the humour of the sentence “She’s got the wrong chap”? (p 91)

5. What word did Tony use to describe Jenny? What was Brenda’s reaction to his dislike? How did she explain to Polly that Jenny wasn’t to Tony’s taste?

6. Do you have any ideas why Tony put Jenny to Galahad?

7. How did John Andrew plan his day with Jenny? What is special about the structure of the paragraph where he proposes different things to do?

8. Jenny repeated several times that Tony was shy. Was he really shy?

9. Can you find a case of irony in Polly and Brenda’s conversation on pages 94–95?

Four

10. What kind of disagreement arose between Tony and Brenda? (p 95)

11. Did Tony enjoy the weekend? Why/why not? What was different about it?

12. Different people discuss how wide Brenda and Beaver’s affair is known. (pp 97–98) What conclusion could you draw of the rumours going on? What is humorous about this?

13. Give Mrs Rattery portrait. What was strange about her coming to Hetton?

14. In what way was Mrs Rattery’s interaction with John Andrew different than other people talked to him, e.g. Jenny Abdul?

15. In what way did Mrs Rattery differ from other guests?

16. How did John Andrew feel before the hunting?

17. Describe what happened during the hunting. Could they have avoided the fatality? What do John Andrew’s words mean “But there mayn’t be another day. The world may come to an end. Please, Ben. Please, Mr Menzies.” (p 104) Did he predict his death?

Language

Find similes

Definition

Word/phrase

Lithuanian equivalent

(p 88) to be an abbreviation or symbol of sth

(p 90) thinking sadly about sth that you would like to have, especially sth in the past that you can no longer have

(p 94) suitable for people to live in

(p 95) to fail to make enough progress or to produce sth at the right time

(p 96)pbrood (over / on / about sth) to think a lot about sth that makes you annoyed, anxious or upset

(p 99 (of a person or their behaviour) free from fault and impossible to criticize SYN blameless

(p 101) feeling or showing that you have no respect for sb/sth SYN scornful:

(p 101) not attracting attention; not easy to notice

(p 102) (formal) to strongly disapprove of sth and criticize it, especially publicly

PART VI (pages 106–126)

Understanding the Plot

1. What are the words which were constantly repeated by different people? Who or what is guilty of John Andrew’s death in your opinion?

2. What or who is Tony worried about after the terrible news was broken to him? How is he behaving? How does it characterize him?

3. What did Tony think about Brenda’s reaction to the accident?

Six

4. Describe the scene when Tony and Mrs Rattery were waiting for Brenda to come? What were they doing, thinking? Why did Mrs Rattery say that “It’s a pity you don’t play patience” (p 111)?

5. Did Jock find Brenda easily?

6. What is comic about Princess Abdul Akbar?

7. What do you think about the fortune teller?

8. Can you explain the misunderstanding which occurred between Brenda and Jock when he was breaking the news? What do Brenda’s words “Oh thank God” mean?

9. How did different people react to the news: Marjorie with Alan, Poly Cockpurse, the impoverished Lasts?

Seven

10. How was Brenda mourning her son?

11. What was strange about Brenda’s decision to go to Veronica’s for the weekend? What was she trying to say to Tony? Was Veronica satisfied to have her as a guest?

12. How did Tony feel about Brenda’s choice? In what way does he try to justify Brenda? What differences did he see between him and Brenda?

13. Why did Brenda decide to divorce Tony?

Exploring themes

1. Give Mrs Rattery portrait.

2. How do you find the atmosphere at Hetton after John Andrew’s death? What does his death symbolize?

Definition

Word/phrase

Lithuanian equivalent

1.

(p 108) a state of mental confusion

2.

(p 109) very bad or unpleasant SYN terrible:

3.

(p 116)

the feeling of being extremely sorry for sth wrong or bad that you have done

N.

Adj

Adv.

4.

(p 117) the bottom surface of the foot:

5.

(p 119) to put your body close to the ground by bending your legs under you SYN squat:

6.

(p 121) very frightening and unpleasant, because it involves pain, death, etc. SYN horrible:

7.

(p 123) having no energy or enthusiasm SYN lethargic

PART VII (pages 129–154)

Understanding the Plot

One

1. Why did Tony and Jock give up going to Brat’s?

2. How did different people try to console Tony? What was similar in their opinion about Brenda?

3. Comment on Allan’s “diplomacy” (pp 130–131).

4. Why do you think “it was thought convenient that Brenda should appear as the plaintiff” (p 131)? What was special about the system of divorces at that time in England?

5. What is absurd in the following sentence “The fourth weekend after Brenda’s departure from Hetton was fixed for Tony’s infidelity” (p 131)? Could you describe the arrangement that have been made about the weekend?

6. How was Tony looking for a girl who could go with him for the weekend and fake adultery? Was he successful?

7. Did Tony ask Milly to come with her daughter? What was humourous about their conversation?

Two

8. Describe the scene at the station on Saturday afternoon?

9. How did Winnie behave throughout the journey to Brighton and there? What kind of child was she?

10. Why didn’t the detectives like the fact that Milly brought her daughter together?

11. How was Tony feeling himself at the hotel?

12. In what way was Tony trying to keep the conversation going during dinner?

13. What was the reason that the detectives were dissatisfied that Tony had had breakfast downstairs but not in his room? How did Tony correct his mistake?

14. What is humourous or ironic about Tony’s walk with Winnie by the sea?

15. Could you comment on Brenda’s “evidence”? (p 146)

Three

16. Who was Reggie? What did he do? Why was he summoned from Tunisia?

17. Who was at fault in Reggie’s opinion that they were going to divorce? Can you see the absurdity of accusations made against Tony? What was Reggie aiming at?

18. Reggie suggested selling Hetton. What comparison did he make? Why did Tony ask if Brenda knew this plan? How is Beaver involved in this plan? What is cynical about this?

19. Find a metaphor on page 153. Explain it. What was Tony’s final decision?

Definition

Word/phrase

Lithuanian equivalent

1.

(p130) an end to a disagreement and the start of a good relationship again

Noun

Verb

2.

(p 130) having or showing great determination SYN determined:

Adj.

Adv.

3.

(p 138) (formal) not sensible or wise; not appropriate in a particular situation SYN unwise

4.

(p 138) (informal) to spend a lot of time with sb

5.

(p 143) willing or prepared to do sth:

well ~;

ill- ~.

6.

(p 147) (formal) difficult to control SYN headstrong

7.

(p 147) (disapproving) behaving in a way that shows that you want to keep sth secret and do not want to be noticed

8.

(p 148) trying to harm or upset sb, or showing that you want to, because you think that they have harmed you

SYN spiteful:

Adj.

Adv.

9.

(p 150) (formal) not wise or sensible

SYN unwise:

Adj.

Opp.

Noun  

Adv.

10.

(p 152) (fml) to formally ask for sth, especially in court

PART VIII (pages 157–180)

Understanding the Plot

Chapter Five

IN SEARCH OF A CITY

One

1. What is the structure of part One?

2. Where is Demerara? Find out information about the country where Tony was travelling.

3. Why did “the genial passenger” think that Tony was ‘potty’?

4. Was Tony an experienced traveller? What places abroad has he visited?

5. What was the reason for Tony’s decision to set off for a journey?

6. In what way was the Greville Club different from others?

7. Portray Dr Messinger.

8. What were Dr Messinger’s plans?

9. What visionof the City did Tony have?

10. Describe Therese de Vitre.

11. What kind of relationship established between Therese and Tony? What did they talk about, what did they do together?

12. What was the sea voyage like? Describe its weather and atmosphere.

Two

13. Describe the start of the expedition:

  • how many people there were;
  • the places;
  • their eating habits.

14. What was Tony’s physical health like?

15. What was he dreaming about?

16. Why was Brenda so worried about Beaver?

17. Can you comment Jock’s vision about Tony’s expedition and the real situation Tony was in?

18. What was the village which Tony and Dr Messinger reach like? Did they get from the women what they wanted?

19. Can you comment on the parallel drawn between Tony’s present life and Jock’s participating in politics?

20. What was comic about persuading the Macushi people to be the guides for Tony and Dr Messinger?

Language

§ What does pronoun ‘she’ mean? (p 157, line 5; p 163, line 2 from the bottom)

§ Find the ways how the sea, traveling by sea, weather are described.

SEA

WEATHER

TRAVELLING BY SEA

Part IX

?

Part X

Chapter Six (p. 209–221)

1. What did Tony keep thinking about while approaching Mr Todd‘s place? Recall how frequently Tony was occupied with those thoughts. What does this fact suggest about Tony’s emotional state and priorities in life? What technique is used to reveal his emotional state? How does this technique contribute to the overall reception of the novel?

2. Comment on the words on p. 221 “I will tell you what I have learnt in the forest, where time is different. There is no City. Mrs. Beaver has covered it with chromium plating and converted it into flats. Three guineas a week, each with a separate bathroom. Very suitable for base love. And Polly will be there. She and Mrs beaver under the fallen battlements...”. What do “the city”, “Mrs Beaver”, “her flats”, “Polly” symbolize?

3. Describe Tony’s inner and outer conflicts while trying to get away from Mr Todd’s place. Describe the rising tension. Which event makes up the culmination of the chapter? Could this culmination be regarded as the culmination of the whole novel? Why/why not?

4. How does Chapter Six end?

Chapter Seven (p. 225–228)

1. What changes did Hetton undergo after Tony’s disappearance and supposed death? How did Tony’s cousins pay Tony their last duties? Could their behaviour be considered respectful, sorrowful or pathetic? How could you describe the atmosphere of this chapter? How does this chapter start? What does it symbolize? Why is the chapter called English Gothic III? Is life there going to be better? Why/ why not?

2. What was Brenda’s fate?

Alternative Ending (p. 243–251)

Which ending suits the novel better? Why?

Overall Analysis of The Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh

1. What is the novel about? How does its title foreshadow the development of events and throughout the novel relate to these events?

2. Describe the physical setting of the novel (Hetton, London (its clubs), places in Brasil + the time in these places). How do these places and the time relate to the main and secondary characters? Why is Hetton called English Gothic? What allusion is made here? Why is there such variety of places?

3. Describe the social setting of the novel (the societies/communities presented). Give examples of definite individuals of those societies.

4. Who are the main characters? Are they round/complex or flat? Dynamic or static? Recall the secondary female characters appearing in the novel (Mrs Beaver, Polly Cockpurse, Mrs Rattery, Jenny Abdul Akbar, Milly, Therese, Rosa) and their role in the novel. Comment on the male characters adding to the depiction of the social setting: Mr Beaver, Jock, the vicar. What characters do they represent?

5. How did the main characters feel in that physical and social setting? What values did they obtain in that society? Disclose the relationships between Tony and Brenda, Tony and his son, Brenda and her son. What model of family did they represent?

6. How did Tony and Brenda rebel against the setting they were in? Were both of them experiencing any conflicts? If yes, what conflicts and how were they revealed? Prove with the example from the text. Point out the complications leading to those conflicts. Where was the climax of the whole novel?

7. What had they both been looking for and what did they find? How did they resolve their conflicts? What is the resolution of the novel? Whose fate turned out to be more tragic, Tony’s or Brenda”? Why? Do you sympathise with anyone of them? Do you condemn their behaviour?

8. How is the novel structured? Account for the arrangement of the chapters and their titles. Are the events presented chronologically, through retrospection or prospection (looking into future)?

9. What narrator dominates in the novel? Why?

10. How does the narrator adopt description, dialogues, stream of consciousness technique? In what scenes do these methods of narration prevail?

11. How is the tragic tone of the novel enhanced? What elements contribute to this?

12. How do irony/sarcasm and macabre way of arranging events reveal the themes of the novel?

Watermark theme. Powered by Blogger.