Learning Objectives

ALL: Recall aspects of the context of the novel. (E/D)

MOST: Explore character and theme in the novel.

SOME: Make links between the novel and its context.

Starter

• Recall the events read in last lesson.

Read 180 - 182

Consider Brenda and Beaver’s relationship. • What has it become? • Are they still happy? • What does this suggest about

Waugh’s message?

Read 182 - 184

• Consider the language used to present a hostile environment. • How does this compare to the

environment at Hetton / London? • What does this suggest about

Waugh’s opinions of the society at the time?

Read 184

Analyse John Beaver’s language. What does his flippancy suggest?

Annotate your ideas on a copy of the text.

Read 184 - 186

Find quotations that show the hostile environment; Waugh suggests that there is savagery everywhere – but which is worse?

Read 186 - 188

•Highlight the definitions of what it is to be “civilised” presented on page 188.

Read 188 - 192

• Create a table comparing the British culture clashing with the Indians’ culture.

Read 192 - 193

• Consider Brenda and Beaver’s relationship. • Does it reflect Brenda and Tony’s

relationship – role reversal? • What does this suggest about

Waugh’s view?

Read the middle section 193

• Pick out 2 quotations that show how civilised the Indians are. •What is Waugh trying to

suggest?

Watch the film adaptation of A Handful of Dust from 1.19.25

hours to 1.26.15 hours.

Read 193 - 197

• Discuss how Waugh creates a sense of foreboding in the presentation of Tony’s waning condition. •What is the significance of

having Brenda in Tony’s dreams?

Read 197 - 199

• Consider the savagery of nature – how does this compare with the savagery of Brenda?

Read 199 - 200

Add to your character profile of

Brenda.

Read 200 - 201

•Consider the empathy that Waugh intends the reader to have for Tony. Why is this?

Read 201 - 202

•Write a brief comparison of the sorry state of Brenda compared to Tony at this time.

Read 202 - 204

• Consider what Tony’s hallucinogenic dreams suggest about his state of mind. • Is Waugh trying to say

something here?

Watch the film adaptation of A Handful of Dust from 1.16.15

hours – 1.31.30 hours.

Read 209 – 213

• Note down the connotations of Mr Todd’s Name • Consider Tony’s state of mind at

this time. What does this suggest?

Read 212 – 215

• Consider Mr Todd’s authority and the civilisation he has created? •What is his view of women?• How does he treat them? • Is he a savage?

Read 215 - 218

• Consider the presentation of religion in this extract.

• What does this suggest about Waugh’s view of religion?

Highlight questions that suggest a sense of foreboding. Compare the ideas of savagery shown in the two civilisations.

Read 218 - 220

• Tony has hope that he will be saved in the future. • The reader knows he won’t be.•What is Waugh’s message

through this?

Read 225 - END

What message is Waugh trying to present through this chapter?

Plenary

Watch the film adaptation of A Handful of Dust from 1.31.30

hours – the end.