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 of the novel so far. • Consider what Tony Last has

done to divorce Brenda.

Read page 147-154

• Consider the obscene character traits that are presented about the upper classes in this chapter.

• Find quotations from the text to support the following ideas: – Selfishness and self-indulgence; – Greed for money; – Ludicrous laws; – Lack of respect for others.

Watch the film adaptation of A Handful of Dust from 1.12 hours

to 1.19.25 hours.

Read page 154 to 163

Compare the civilisation described here to the civilisation of Brenda.

Read from page 164 - 171

Consider Therese de Vitre and Waugh’s views on gender.

Read page 171 - 174

Considering the following quotation, write a paragraph about Waugh presentation of savagery.

“The sun rose in the east. England was east of America he and Dr Messinger got the sun later. It came to them at second hand and slightly soiled after Polly Cockpurse and Mrs Beaver and Princess Abdul Akbar had finished with it … Like Polly’s dresses which Brenda used to buy for ten or fifteen pounds each …”

Read page 174 - 175

Highlight three ironic quotations and analyse what Waugh is trying to present through them.

“I’m very fond of Tony, you know, in spite of the monstrous way he behaved.”“Is it absolutely safe?”“The whole world is civilized now, isn’t it”

Women in A Handful of Dust

Do a mind map of all the women in A Handful of Dust we’ve met so far.

Then branch out from each women, labelling their personality traits.

Look at the whiteboard for an example.

Read 175 - 177

• Compare the savagery presented here with the savagery presented in the upper classes. • Consider the representation of

women. What is Waugh’s message?

Read 178 (second section) to 180

• Look at the representation of women – who is in charge? Who is educated?

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.

• In this part of the book, both characters are stranded. Tony is physically stranded as Dr. Messinger goes to find help but ends up dying. Similarly/whereas, Brenda is socially and financially stranded: she is left with no money as Tony is providing her none and she has used up the rest of her money treating Beaver. Also, her rich friends have now left her to enjoy their own luxury ventures. Both end up emotionally showing the effect of being stranded- crying at their sorry states. Brenda’s social exclusion is as serious and dangerous to her as Tony’s physical exclusion: being unable to be with her friends and having no money could be argued to be worse than not existing to her.

Read 202 - 204

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

something here?

Plenary

Watch the film adaptation of A Handful of Dust from 1.16.15

hours – 1.31.30 hours.