YEAR 8 H/W: AUTUMN WEEK 1

YEAR 8 H/W: AUTUMN – WEEK 1

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Little Women was written in 1868 and is one of the most beloved children’s books of all time. It is the story of the four March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. They live with their mother while their father is fighting in the American Civil War. The family doesn’t have much money. They live next door to Mr. Laurence, who is very wealthy, and his grandson, Laurie. In this passage, Beth’s passion for music forces her to overcome her natural shyness. The ‘Mansion of Bliss’ is Mr. Laurence’s house.

But Beth, though yearning for the grand piano, could not pluck up courage to go to the `Mansion of Bliss', as Meg called it. She went once with Jo, but the old gentleman, not being aware of her infirmity, stared at her so hard from under his heavy eyebrows, and said "Hey!" so loud, that he frightened her so much her `feet chattered on the floor', she never told her mother, and she ran away, declaring she would never go there any more, not even for the dear piano. No persuasions or enticements could overcome her fear, till, the fact coming to Mr. Laurence's ear in some mysterious way, he set about mending matters. During one of the brief calls he made, he artfully led the conversation to music, and talked away about great singers whom he had seen, fine organs he had heard, and told such charming anecdotes that Beth found it impossible to stay in her distant corner, but crept nearer and nearer, as if fascinated. At the back of his chair she stopped and stood listening, with her great eyes wide open and her cheeks red with excitement of this unusual performance. Taking no more notice of her than if she had been a fly, Mr. Laurence talked on about Laurie's lessons and teachers. And presently, as if the idea had just occurred to him, he said to Mrs. March... "The boy neglects his music now, and I'm glad of it, for he was getting too fond of it. But the piano suffers for want of use. Wouldn't some of your girls like to run over, and practice on it now and then, just to keep it in tune, you know, ma`am?" Beth took a step forward, and pressed her hands tightly together to keep from clapping them, for this was an irresistible temptation, and the thought of practicing on that splendid instrument quite took her breath away. Before Mrs. March could reply, Mr. Laurence went on with an odd little nod and smile... "They needn't see or speak to anyone, but run in at any time. For I'm shut up in my study at the other end of the house, Laurie is out a great deal, and the servants are never near the drawing room after nine o'clock." Here he rose, as if going, and Beth made up her mind to speak, for that last arrangement left nothing to be desired. "Please, tell the young ladies what I say, and if they don't care to come, why, never mind." Here a little hand slipped into his, and Beth looked up at him with a face full of gratitude, as she said, in her earnest yet timid way... "Oh sir, they do care, very very much!" "Are you the musical girl?" he asked, without any startling "Hey!" as he looked down at her very kindly. "I'm Beth. I love it dearly, and I'll come, if you are quite sure nobody will hear me, and be disturbed," she added, fearing to be rude, and trembling at her own boldness as she spoke. "Not a soul, my dear. The house is empty half the day, so come and drum away as much as you like, and I shall be obliged to you." "How kind you are, sir!" Beth blushed like a rose under the friendly look he wore, but she was not frightened now, and gave the hand a grateful squeeze because she had no words to thank him for the precious gift he had given her.

Little Women: Text-focused questions 1. Alcott writes ‘But Beth, though yearning for the grand piano, could not pluck up courage to go to’ Mr. Laurence’s house. What does the word ‘yearning’ mean here? Write a definition. 2. What two things does Mr. Laurence do that frighten Beth? 3. What does Mr. Laurence offer to the girls to go about ‘mending matters’? 4. Where will everybody else be whilst the girls are playing the piano? 5. Alcott writes that Mr. Laurence ‘stared at her so hard from under his heavy eyebrows, and said “Hey!” so loud, that he frightened her so much’. Why does she repeat the phrase ‘so much’ throughout this phrase? What does it suggest about Beth’s fear? 6. Beth is repeatedly shown to be frail and nervous. Find six pieces of evidence from across the text which suggests this. 7. As Mr. Laurence makes his offer, Beth ‘found it impossible to stay in her distant corner’. What other movements does Alcott describe which show Beth overcoming her fear of Mr. Laurence?

EXTENSION: Create a glossary of vocabulary to help another reader better understand the extract.


Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen Mr. Collins was not left long to the silent contemplation of his successful love; for Mrs. Bennet, having dawdled about in the vestibule to watch for the end of the conference, no sooner saw Elizabeth open the door and with quick step pass her towards the staircase, than she entered the breakfast-room, and congratulated both him and herself in warm terms on the happy prospect of their nearer connection. Mr. Collins received and returned these felicitations with equal pleasure, and then proceeded to relate the particulars of their interview, with the result of which he trusted he had every reason to be satisfied, since the refusal which his cousin had steadfastly given him would naturally flow from her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her character.

This information, however, startled Mrs. Bennet; she would have been glad to be equally satisfied that her daughter had meant to encourage him by protesting against his proposals, but she dared not believe it, and could not help saying so.

“But, depend upon it, Mr. Collins,” she added, “that Lizzy shall be brought to reason. I will speak to her about it directly. She is a very headstrong, foolish girl, and does not know her own interest but I will make her know it.”

“Pardon me for interrupting you, madam,” cried Mr. Collins; “but if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my situation, who naturally looks for happiness in the marriage state. If therefore she actually persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were better not to force her into accepting me, because if liable to such defects of temper, she could not contribute much to my felicity.”

“Sir, you quite misunderstand me,” said Mrs. Bennet, alarmed. “Lizzy is only headstrong in such matters as these. In everything else she is as good-natured a girl as ever lived. I will go directly to Mr. Bennet, and we shall very soon settle it with her, I am sure.”

She would not give him time to reply, but hurrying instantly to her husband, called out as she entered the library, “Oh! Mr. Bennet, you are wanted immediately; we are all in an uproar. You must come and make Lizzy marry Mr. Collins, for she vows she will not have him, and if you do not make haste he will change his mind and not have her.”

Mr. Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered, and fixed them on her face with a calm unconcern which was not in the least altered by her communication.

“I have not the pleasure of understanding you,” said he, when she had finished her speech. “Of what are you talking?”

“Of Mr. Collins and Lizzy. Lizzy declares she will not have Mr. Collins, and Mr. Collins begins to say that he will not have Lizzy.”

“And what am I to do on the occasion? It seems an hopeless business.”

“Speak to Lizzy about it yourself. Tell her that you insist upon her marrying him.”

“Let her be called down. She shall hear my opinion.”

Mrs. Bennet rang the bell, and Miss Elizabeth was summoned to the library.

“Come here, child,” cried her father as she appeared. “I have sent for you on an affair of importance. I understand that Mr. Collins has made you an offer of marriage. Is it true?” Elizabeth replied that it was. “Very well—and this offer of marriage you have refused?”

“I have, sir.”

“Very well. We now come to the point. Your mother insists upon your accepting it. Is it not so, Mrs. Bennet?”

“Yes, or I will never see her again.”

“An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.”

1. What is the best word to describe Mrs Bennet’s reaction to Elizabeth’s refusal to marry Mr Collins?

Happy Annoyed Startled Excited Joyous

2. Where does Mrs Bennet find Mr Bennet?

In the garden In the kitchen In the dining room In the library In the bedroom

3. Which word best describes Mr Bennet’s reaction to Mrs Bennet’s interruption?

Exasperated Vexed Delighted Displeased Angry

4. What does Mrs Bennet want Mr Bennet to do about the situation?

Speak to Mr Collins Speak to Elizabeth Shout at Elizabeth Shout at Mr Collins Stay out of it

5. What does the word ‘felicity’ mean in the phrase “…she could not contribute much to my felicity.”

Wealth Unhappiness Prosperity Welfare Happiness

6. Elizabeth Bennet wants to marry Mr Collins.

True False

7. Mr Bennet wants Elizabeth to marry Mr Collins.

True False

8. How does Mrs Bennet describe Elizabeth (you can pick more than one)?

Headstrong Sensible Foolish Hardworking Kind

9. Which statement best describes Mrs Bennet’s relationship with her daughter?

They are very close and share their feelings.

They are close but Elizabeth is frightened to stand up to her mother.

They are close but Elizabeth is not frightened to stand up to her mother.

They hate each other.

10. Which statement best describes Mr Bennet’s relationship with Elizabeth?

They respect each other but Mr Bennet does not support Elizabeth’s decisions.

They are very close and share their feelings.

They respect each other and Mr Bennet supports Elizabeth’s decisions.

They hate each other.

11. Using all the information gained from completing the multiple-choice questions, answer the following

question in no more than two paragraphs. “How does Austen show the relationship between Elizabeth

Bennet and her parents?


Idioms Test 1 Directions: Determine the meaning of the bolded expression (a common idiom).Write your response by copying the idiom (phrase in bold) followed by the correct answer.

Idiom: A common expression understood figuratively, as the literal definition makes no sense.

1. When Brian felt pretty good about getting the a pair of roller-skates for his birthday, until he saw his twin brother Ryan open up his GameBox X-9000, and then Brian felt like he got the short end of the stick. a. Brian felt like Ryan received a better gift than he. b. Brian was quite pleased with his roller skates. c. Brian wanted a long stick that he could use to support himself on hikes. d. Brian feels bad for Ryan because Ryan wanted roller-skates. 2. After Ms. Smith caught Darnisha chewing gum for the third time, Ms. Smith scheduled a parent teacher conference with Darnisha’s mother. When Darnisha’s mother came into Ms. Smith’s classroom, she was chewing gum. Ms. Smith thought to herself, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” a. Ms. Smith thinks that Darnisha dresses like her mother. b. Ms. Smith thinks that Darnisha acts a lot like her mother. c. Ms. Smith is surprised to see that Darnisha’s mother came. d. Ms. Smith thinks that Darnisha’s mother lives very close to the school. 3. Brad was accusing us of stealing his phone until he found it, and now he’s trying to sweep it under the rug. a. Brad thinks that his phone will be safer if he hides it under the rug. b. Brad wants to do something to make up for his mistake. c. Brad is trying to locate a signal for his phone so that he can use it. d. Brad wants to pretend that the incident never happened. 4. Keisha got up a started yelling at Ronnie and threatening him but Ronnie didn’t even flinch because he knew that her bark was worse than her bite. a. Ronnie thinks that Keisha will get in trouble for yelling. b. Ronnie thinks that Keisha has bad breath. c. Ronnie thinks that Keisha is loud but not dangerous. d. Ronnie thinks that Keisha has a crush on him. 5. You might think that Billy Parker is the kid who has everything, but if you saw the list of chores his parents give him, I guarantee that you wouldn’t want to be in his shoes. a. You wouldn’t want your shoes to get as dirty as Billy’s when he’s doing his chores. b. If you have to do as many chores as Billy, you’ll want a pair of comfortable shoes. c. Billy shoes are so uncomfortable that doing his chores is really unpleasant. d. Billy has so many chores to do that it is unpleasant to imagine doing them all.

6. The researchers at the renowned UC Berkeley have a long history of pushing the envelope in regards to computer

science.

a. This means that these researchers have long followed behind others in the field. b. This means that these researchers have long led efforts in the field. c. This means that these researchers have kept up with trends in the field. d. This means that these researchers have long attempted to do away with paper record keeping.

7. While Kristie's cake pops are both delicious and artistic, nobody can hold a candle to her pecan pie.

a. This means that Kristie's pecan pie is not visually pleasing. b. This means that Kristie's pecan pie is very hot when it comes out of the oven. c. This means that Kristie's pecan pie is better than all others. d. This means that Kristie's pecan pie is in serious need of improvements.

8. After I told the client that we could give him a discount on the window repairs, the boss said that we couldn't and

now I've got egg all over my face.

a. Someone who has egg all over his or her face is a person who is known to not tell the truth. b. Someone who has egg all over his or her face is a person who profits from other's misfortunes. c. Someone who has egg all over his or her face is a person who looks foolish or embarrassed. d. Someone who has egg all over his or her face is a person who looks very hungry.

9. When Angelo called Devon "stinky pants" on the playground, Devon wanted to call Angelo a mean name too, but

Devon's mother had always taught him to turn the other cheek.

a. To forgive an act of aggression b. To return an act of aggression with greater force c. To return an act of aggression with equal force d. To hide from aggression in order to protect oneself

10. Although I hate green peppers, I ordered them on the pizza because everybody else wanted them and I didn't

want to go against the grain.

a. To oppose or resist a strong force b. To just go along with whatever is the easiest c. To raise one's voice to an inappropriate level d. To ignore something unpleasant

EXTENSION: Write a short creative piece of writing where you try to use a few of these

idioms in a suitable and effective way.


Dorian Gray

The beautiful man that never ages, but his secret portrait tells a different tale.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891) is a Victorian Gothic

novel written by Oscar Wilde. It tells the archetypal

tale of a young and handsome man who exchanges a

lifetime of beauty and eternal youth for the price of

his soul. Dorian Gray is a perfect example of how

people would carry out their darkest desires and

forbidden pleasures if they had the opportunity to live

a double life. Despite Dorian’s unhealthy and immoral

lifestyle, he remains physically beautiful, youthful and

entirely unmarked by his horrific behaviour. Instead, a

hidden portrait painted by his close friend, depicts

every evil and deplorable act by changing his once

beautiful face into a hideous and grotesque monster.

Dorian Gray is full of intertextual references and

allusions itself. Closely linked to the character

Narcissus and the Faustian bargain, Dorian is utterly

obsessed with crossing the boundaries of acceptable

behaviour and living a hedonistic, pleasure-filled life.

Once he becomes aware that the portrait locked away

in his attic will bear the sins he commits (including

deception, treachery and murder) Dorian stops at

nothing to fulfil his basest desires. However, in his

final act to conceal the true horror of the portrait,

Dorian stabs the gruesome painting hoping to destroy

his guilt. But instead of abolishing the sins he had

committed over many years of self-indulgence and

immorality, his face turns into a human replica of the

portrait, and he is found dead with a knife in his heart,

’withered, wrinkled, and loathsome of visage’ (Ch. 20).

The Moral of the Story

There are many conflicting morals to Dorian Gray,

especially as Oscar Wilde stated that there is nothing

found when considering art too seriously (see

Discussion Point). However, the story at its foundation

is a compelling take on the age-old moral that vanity

and narcissism are not worth damnation. Dorian Gray

begins the novel as a naïve, yet likeable character.

However, he quickly becomes obsessed with his public

persona: his appearance, his social status, his material

belongings and reputation often appear far more

important than the development of his soul and the

appreciation of intellectual and artistic beauty.

Discussion Point

‘There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book.

Books are well written or badly written. That is all’.

Oscar Wilde begins his novel with a short Preface

arguing that ‘all art is quite useless’. Ultimately, it is

left to the reader to determine whether Wilde is being

serious when he explains that Dorian Gray is neither a

moral or immoral book. In other words, any moral

disgust or vicarious pleasure derived from the book

reflects more upon us as readers than it does on the

novel itself. The book is a tale, pure and simple. It is

we, the readers, who force it to be a story where we

condemn Dorian for his sinful and wicked behaviour.

This links in many ways to other stories where an

antihero leads a double life, carrying out their darkest

desires and passions at the price of their soul and

damnation. These tales create the same reaction in

different contexts: the reader knows that the

character will eventually have to suffer for their

actions, yet we are still interested and enjoy seeing

how far they will push the boundaries of their evil

behaviour.

The big question for you is:

When characters are given the gift of eternal youth

and beauty, why do they use this power to satisfy

their darkest desires and forbidden pleasures?

TASKS:

1. Because, But, So

Complete the following sentences:

· Dorian Gray can carry out evil and immoral actions, because…

· Dorian Gray bargained his soul so…

· Dorian’s youth and beauty never fade with age, but...

2. Summarise the story of Dorian Gray.

3. Research Narcissus and narcissism, and write what you find.

4. Find a word from the extract which means to engage in pleasurable and self-indulgent activities.

5. List some of the sins that Dorian Gray commits.

6. Oscar Wilde said “all art is quite useless” To what extent do you agree or disagree with this point? Support

your response with developed reasons and explanations for your opinions.


Peter Pan by J M Barrie

The novel Peter Pan began as a play in 1904, and was made into a novel in 1911. It is the story of three English

children: Wendy, John and Michael Darling. They meet the amazing Peter Pan, a boy who lives in magical Neverland.

In this passage, the reader is introduced to Nana, the Darling children’s nurse and nanny.

As you read the extract, make notes about your first impressions of the Darling family.

Mrs. Darling loved to have everything just so, and Mr. Darling had a passion for being exactly like his neighbours; so,

of course, they had a nurse. As they were poor, owing to the amount of milk the children drank, this nurse was a

prim Newfoundland dog, called Nana, who had belonged to no one in particular until the Darlings engaged her. She

had always thought children important, however, and the Darlings had become acquainted with her in Kensington

Gardens, where she spent most of her spare time peeping into perambulators, and was much hated by careless

nursemaids, whom she followed to their homes and complained of to their mistresses. She proved to be quite a

treasure of a nurse. How thorough she was at bath-time, and up at any moment of the night if one of her charges

made the slightest cry. Of course her kennel was in the nursery. She had a genius for knowing when a cough is a

thing to have no patience with and when it needs stocking around your throat. She believed to her last day in old-

fashioned remedies like rhubarb leaf, and made sounds of contempt over all this new-fangled talk about germs, and

so on. It was a lesson in propriety to see her escorting the children to school, walking sedately by their side when

they were well behaved, and butting them back into line if they strayed. On John's footer, in England soccer was

called football, "footer for short] days she never once forgot his sweater, and she usually carried an umbrella in her

mouth in case of rain. There is a room in the basement of Miss Fulsom's school where the nurses wait. They sat on

forms, while Nana lay on the floor, but that was the only difference. They affected to ignore her as of an inferior

social status to themselves, and she despised their light talk. She resented visits to the nursery from Mrs. Darling's

friends, but if they did come she first whipped off Michael's pinafore and put him into the one with blue braiding,

and smoothed out Wendy and made a dash at John's hair.

No nursery could possibly have been conducted more correctly, and Mr. Darling knew it, yet he sometimes

wondered uneasily whether the neighbours talked.

He had his position in the city to consider.

Nana also troubled him in another way. He had sometimes a feeling that she did not admire him. "I know she

admires you tremendously, George," Mrs. Darling would assure him, and then she would sign to the children to be

especially nice to father. Lovely dances followed, in which the only other servant, Liza, was sometimes allowed to

join. Such a midget she looked in her long skirt and maid's cap, though she had sworn, when engaged, that she

would never see ten again. The gaiety of those romps! And gayest of all was Mrs. Darling, who would pirouette so

wildly that all you could see of her was the kiss, and then if you had dashed at her you might have got it. There never

was a simpler happier family until the coming of Peter Pan.

Peter Pan: Text-focused questions

1. What is unusual about the Darlings’ nanny?

2. Nana is described as ‘prim’. What does this word mean? Write a definition.

3. Find three more references in the text which present Nana in a similar manner to ‘prim’.

4. Barrie writes that Nana ‘had belonged to no one in particular until the Darlings engaged her. She had always

thought children important, however, and the Darlings had become acquainted with her in Kensington Gardens.’

How do the words ‘engaged’ and ‘acquainted’ help to make Nana seem a more appropriate nanny?

5. Mr. Darling is repeatedly shown to be insecure and anxious over his social position. Find five pieces of evidence

from the text which suggest this.

6. Barrie writes ‘There is a room in the basement of Miss Fulsom’s school where the nurses wait.’

What tense is this written in, and how is this different from the rest of the extract? How does this help to make the

story seem more realistic?

7. What does the final sentence imply about the effect of Peter Pan’s arrival upon the Darling family?

EXTENSION: Create a glossary of vocabulary to help another reader better understand the extract.


‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker

8 May.--I began to fear as I wrote in this book that I was writing in too much detail. But now I am glad that I

went into detail from the start, for there is something so strange about this place and everything in it that I

cannot help but feel uneasy. I wish I were safely out of here, or that I had never come. It may be that this

strange night existence is taking its toll on me – if only that were all! If there were any one to talk to I could bear

it, but there is no-one. I have only Count Dracula to speak with, and he – I fear I am myself the only living soul

within the place. Let me be plain so far as facts can be. It will help me to cope, and imagination must not run

riot with me. If it does, I am lost.

I only slept a few hours when I went to bed, and feeling that I could not sleep any more, got up. I had hung my

shaving mirror by the window, and was just beginning to shave.

Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, and heard the Count's voice saying to me, "Good morning." I started, for

it amazed me that I had not seen him, since the reflection of the mirror covered the whole room behind me.

Having been startled I had cut myself slightly but I did not notice it at that moment. Having answered the

Count's greeting, I turned to the mirror again to see how I had been mistaken. This time there could be no

mistake, for the man was behind me, and I could see him over my shoulder. But there was no reflection of him

in the mirror! The whole room behind me was displayed, but there was no sign of a man in it, except myself!

This was startling, and coming on the top of so many strange things, was beginning to increase that vague

feeling of uneasiness which I always feel when the Count is near. But at that moment I saw the cut had bled a

little, and the blood was trickling over my chin. I put down the razor, turning as I did so half round to look for

some sticking plaster. When the Count saw my face, his eyes blazed with a sort of demonic fury, and he

suddenly made a grab at my throat. I pulled away and his hand touched the rosary beads which held the

crucifix.

It made an instant change in him, for his anger passed so quickly that I could hardly believe that it was ever

there.

"Take care," he said, "take care how you cut yourself. It is more dangerous than you think in this country." Then

seizing the shaving mirror, he continued, "And this is the wretched thing that has done the mischief. Away with

it!" And, opening the window with one wrench of his terrible hand, he flung out the mirror, which shattered

into a thousand pieces on the stones of the courtyard far below. Then he left the room without a word. It is

very annoying, for I do not see how I am to shave, unless in my watch-case or the bottom of the shaving pot,

which is fortunately made out of metal.

After breakfast I did a little exploring in the castle. I went out on the stairs, and found a room looking towards

the South. The view was magnificent, and from where I stood there was every opportunity of seeing it. The

castle is on the very edge of a terrific cliff. A stone falling from the

window would fall for one thousand feet without touching anything!

But I am not able to describe beauty, for after I had seen this view I explored further. Doors, doors, doors

everywhere … and all are locked and bolted! In no place, except via the windows in the castle walls is there an

available exit. The castle is a prison, and I am its prisoner!

1. What is the best word to describe the narrator Jonathan Harker’s feelings?

Anxious Confident Happy Comfortable Unafraid

2. How does Harker react to the Count’s arrival?

Alarmed Appalled Amazed Upset Surprised

3. Which word best describes the Count and his behaviour?

Enigmatic Mischievous Startling Caring Chilling

4. What is the Count?

A human A werewolf A witch A vampire A dragon

5. What does the word ‘vague’ mean in the sentence ‘that vague feeling of uneasiness which I always feel when

the Count is near.’

Horrible Pleasant Unclear Strange Frightening

6. Jonathan Harker is staying at the castle at his own free will.

True False

7. The Count is angry about Harker cutting himself whilst shaving.

True False

8. Which item does the Count throw out of the window?

Mirror Chair Razor Table Knife

9. Which statement best describes Jonathan Harker’s current situation.

He is staying at the castle as a paying guest.

He is forced to stay at the castle as the bad weather does not allow him to leave.

He is staying at the castle as the Count’s guest.

He is being forced to stay at the castle as can see no way of escaping.

10. Which statement best describes Jonathan Harker’s feelings about being in the castle.

He is intrigued by the Count and the castle and wants to stay.

He loves everything about his stay and never wants to leave.

He is unsure about the strange happenings in the castle and wants to stay to find out more.

He is uneasy with the situation he is in and wants to find a way in which he can escape.

11. Using all the information gained from completing the multiple-choice questions, answer the following

question in no more than two paragraphs. “How does Bram Stoker show that Jonathan Harker is uneasy

about staying in the castle?”


Author’s Purpose Activity

Directions: Read the descriptions of each item and determine the author’s main purpose (to entertain, persuade, or inform). Then, in a sentence or two, explain how you came to this conclusion. ENTERTAIN: Presenting an idea or story in a way that is supposed to engage readers. PERSUADE: Presenting an idea or story in a way that is supposed to encourage readers to change their ideas or behaviours. INFORM: Presenting information in a way that is supposed to teach and educate readers. 1. A pamphlet urging people not to eat animals or use products made from animals or animal suffering because the author thinks that is cruel and unnecessary 2. A book of over 1,000 knock-knock jokes 3. A cook book containing recipes for making cakes, cookies, and other desserts 4. The story of a young woman who, after the death of her grandfather, quit her job in the business world and returned home to help her aging grandmother

5. A politician’s speech about how homes should be provided to families who cannot afford them

6. A poem about a “packrat,” a person who refuses to throw things away, even things that most people would consider garbage 7. An article comparing and contrasting American and Swedish health care systems

8. The Shakespearean tragedy Romeo and Juliet, where two young lovers are forbidden from seeing one another due to a centuries old blood feud between their two families

9. A young girl’s note to her parents giving reasons why they should buy a puppy

10. A website describing a local dog leash ordinance, detailing its history and the penalties for walking around with one’s dog unleashed

EXTENSION: Choose one of the items above, and write an effective opening paragraph for it.


‘The Strange Case of Jekyll and Hyde’, often just

referred to ‘Jekyll and Hyde’, is about a London

lawyer named Gabriel John Utterson who

investigates strange occurrences between his old

friend, Dr Henry Jekyll, and the evil Edward Hyde.

It is set in Victorian London, a time when on the

surface, society was very religious and

conservative, but people still indulged in immoral

behaviour behind closed doors. The first draft of

the novella was written in 3 days and was inspired

by a dream.

Dr Jekyll discovers a drug that enables him to

transform periodically into a deformed monster

free of conscience—Mr. Hyde. At first, Jekyll

delights in becoming Hyde as the creature has total

freedom to commit crimes and take pleasure in

anything he wants. Eventually, however, he finds

that he turns into Hyde involuntarily in his sleep,

even without taking the potion and Jekyll decides to

stop becoming Hyde. As time progresses, Hyde

becomes more evil and Jekyll’s ability to change

back slowly vanishes. By the end, the evil Hyde is

in control of Dr Jekyll. Did you know?

In the Victorian era, cocaine was prescribed

medicinally to treat conditions, such as

haemorrhages, as it was discovered that it tightens

blood vessels. Stevenson was prescribed the drug

to treat a lung haemorrhage, an effect of the

disease TB, shortly before writing the first draft; he

later professed an affection for it. It’s possible this

formed some inspiration for Jekyll’s creation of a

drug that removes inhibition, a side-effect of

cocaine.

There have been stage plays, radio dramas, comics,

cartoons, a Broadway musical, TV adaptations and over

123 film versions or parodies inspired by Stevenson’s

work.

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

The influential 1885 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Jekyll & Hyde’s Influence

In 1888, a stage play of the novel opened.

Then, two days after the play opened, Jack

the Ripper began his infamous killing spree

in London. It wasn’t long before people

started connecting him to the stage

adaptation, with some suggesting that the

serial killer’s mind was poisoned by the

play.

The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk first appeared in the

Marvel Comics Universe in 1962. After nuclear

physicist Dr. Bruce Banner was caught in the

blast of a gamma bomb he created, he was

transformed into the Hulk, a raging

monstrosity. The character is frequently

pursued by the police or the armed forces,

often as a result of the destruction he causes.

The powerful and brutishly emotional alter ego

of a scientist, who comes forth whenever he

experiences extreme emotional stress, is an

example of the Jekyll and Hyde motif. While

the Hulk often proves vital to saving the day,

seeking usually to protect, his terrifying nature

drives Bruce Banner into isolation, much like

Jekyll, fearing discovery.

Examples of usage:

The novella's impact is such that it has become a

part of the language, with the very phrase "Jekyll

and Hyde" often used to refer to people with an

unpredictably dual nature: usually very good, but

sometimes shockingly evil instead.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil

TASKS:

1. But, because, so…

Complete the following.

‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ has had a lasting impact, because….

‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ has had a lasting impact, but…

‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ has had a lasting impact, so

2. Summarise the story of Jekyll and Hyde.

3. Which infamous serial killer was committing his crimes around the same time as the release of a play version

of Jekyll and Hyde?

4. What type of a personality would someone have if they were described as being a bit ‘Jekyll and Hyde?’

5. How has the story become popular in modern times? How many films have been made and which Marvel

superhero did it inspire?

6. What do you learn about Victorian medicine from the extract?

7. Which word in the extract means a short book or novel?

8. “Comic books are miles better than real novels” To what extent do you agree? Write two developed points

to explain your point of view.

YEAR 8 H/W – AUTUMN WEEK 9

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 1953

It was a pleasure to burn.

It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. With the brass nozzle in

his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his

head, and his hands were the hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and

burning to bring down the tatters and charcoal of history. With his symbolic helmet numbered 451 on his

stolid head, and his eyes all orange flame with the thought of what came next, he flicked the igniter and

the house jumped up in a gorging fire that burned the evening sky red and yellow and black. He strode in a

swarm of fireflies. He wanted above all, like the old joke, to shove a marshmallow on a stick in the furnace,

while the flapping pigeon-winged books died on the porch and lawn of the house. While the books went up

in sparkling whirls and blew away on a wind turned dark with burning.

Montag grinned the fierce grin of all men singed and driven back by flame.

He knew that when he returned to the firehouse, he might wink at himself, a minstrel man, burnt corked,

in the mirror. Later, going to sleep, he would feel the fiery smile still gripped by his face muscles, in the

dark. It never went away, that smile, it never ever went away, as long as he remembered.

He hung up his black-beetle-coloured helmet and shined it, he hung his flameproof jacket neatly; he

showered luxuriously, and then, whistling, hands in pockets, walked across the upper floor of the fire

station and fell down the hole. At the last moment, when disaster seemed positive, he pulled his hands

from his pockets and broke his fall by grasping the golden pole. He slid to a squeaking halt, the heels one

inch from the concrete floor downstairs.

He walked out of the fire station and along the midnight street toward the subway where the silent, air-

propelled train slid soundlessly down its lubricated flue in the earth and let him out with a great puff of

warm air and to the cream-tiled escalator rising to the suburb.

Whistling, he let the escalator waft him into the still night air. He walked toward the corner, thinking little

at all about nothing in particular. Before he reached the corner, however, he slowed as if a wind had

sprung up from nowhere, as if someone had called his name. The last few nights he had had the most

uncertain feelings about the sidewalk just around the corner here, moving in the starlight toward his

house. He had felt that a moment before his making the turn, someone had been there. The air seemed

charged with a special calm as if someone had waited there, quietly, and only a moment before he came,

simply turned to a shadow and let him through. Perhaps his nose detected a faint perfume, perhaps the

skin on the backs of his hands, on his face, felt the temperature rise at this one spot where a person's

standing might raise the immediate atmosphere ten degrees for an instant. There was no understanding it.

Each time he made the turn, he saw only the white, unused, buckling sidewalk, with perhaps, on one night,

something vanishing swiftly across a lawn before he could focus his eyes or speak.

Fahrenheit 451 Text-Focused Questions:

1. What are your first impressions of Montag? Use evidence to explain your ideas.

2. Find a simile within the text. What is the effect here for the reader?

3. Re-read the final paragraph. How does the writer create tension here? Use quotations as evidence.

4. Define the word “stolid” and use in a sentence of your own.

5. In this book, leaders burn books to keep information from the public. Explain your opinion about this.


Lord of the Flies by William Golding 1951

Smoke was rising here and there among the creepers that festooned the dead or dying trees. As they watched, a

flash of fire appeared at the root of one wisp, and then the smoke thickened.

Small flames stirred at the trunk of a tree and crawled away through leaves and brushwood, dividing and increasing.

One patch touched a tree trunk and scrambled up like a bright squirrel. The smoke increased, sifted, rolled outwards.

The squirrel leapt on the wings of the wind and clung to another standing tree, eating downwards. Beneath the dark

canopy of leaves and smoke the fire laid hold on the forest and began to gnaw. Acres of black and yellow smoke

rolled steadily toward the sea. At the sight of the flames and the irresistible course of the fire, the boys broke into

shrill, excited cheering. The flames, as though they were a kind of wild life, crept as a jaguar creeps on its belly

toward a line of birch-like saplings that fledged an outcrop of the pink rock. They flapped at the first of the trees, and

the branches grew a brief foliage of fire. The heart of flame leapt nimbly across the gap between the trees and then

went swinging and flaring along the whole row of them. Beneath the capering boys a quarter of a mile square of

forest was savage with smoke and flame. The separate noises of the fire merged into a drum-roll that seemed to

shake the mountain.

Lord of the Flies Text-focused Questions:

1. Define four of the following words: festooned, scrambled, sifted, gnaw, irresistible, nimbly, capering.

2. Find one example of the flames being personified within the extract. Analyse the effects on readers.

3. What do the fire and the boys have in common? Use evidence in your answer to explain your ideas.

4. How would you describe the mood of the extract? Why?

5. How is the description of the fire in this text different to Fahrenheit 451? Include evidence from both texts to

explain your ideas.

Here’s a reminder of the fire in Fahrenheit 451:

It was a pleasure to burn.

It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. With the brass nozzle in his fists,

with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head, and his hands

were the hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the

tatters and charcoal of history. With his symbolic helmet numbered 451 on his stolid head, and his eyes all orange

flame with the thought of what came next, he flicked the igniter and the house jumped up in a gorging fire that

burned the evening sky red and yellow and black. He strode in a swarm of fireflies. He wanted above all, like the old

joke, to shove a marshmallow on a stick in the furnace, while the flapping pigeon-winged books died on the porch

and lawn of the house. While the books went up in sparkling whirls and blew away on a wind turned dark with

burning.


TASKS:

1. Summarise what you learn about Plato in five bullet points.

2. Identify words from the extract which mean:

a. Following each other continuously.

b. Behaviour showing high moral standards.

c. The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement.

3. Select one of the quotations and explain what you think Plato meant.

4. Plato had a belief that society needs to be ruled by the philosophers – the “thinkers”. Explain your

point of view on this using evidence from ‘The Republic’ section above.

Plato

A Greek philosopher responsible for the foundation of much of academic study today.

The Republic

In ‘The Republic’ Plato sets out an idea for the perfect

society.

Plato thought society was made up of three types of

people:

Philosophers who think for the society

Soldiers who look after the society

Workers who do things in the society, who

make food, drink and more workers.

He said that society needs all three types of people but

that only the philosophers will be good people. The

others will be dominated by their souls or bodies, not

their minds. The soldiers will not even listen to their

minds, and the workers will not listen to their minds or

their souls. This is why the philosophers should rule and

the other types of people should be soldiers and workers.

He stated that the philosopher was the ideal leader, in a

way that the existing rulers could not be. The Philosopher

King, as he called these people, would rule without ego

and be tested on his virtue and ability to think before

coming to power.

Plato was one of the greatest

classical Greek philosophers. He lived from

427 BC to 348 BC. He was a student

of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. Plato

wrote about many ideas in philosophy that

are still talked about today. One modern

philosopher (Alfred North Whitehead) said

that all philosophy since Plato has just been

comments on his work.

He is most famous for his ‘Allegory of The

Cave’ which has been used for the basis of

films, such as The Matrix and also his political

work ‘The Republic.’

Platonic Relationship

A platonic relationship is one without a romantic

element. A romance involves a desire to connect on

an emotional and physical level.

Plato never actually used the term himself, but rather

talked about an ideal relationship that moved along

what he called the ‘Ladder of Love’ and eventually led

to a close bond that would help both people reach

connection beyond physical attraction

Did you know?

Plato was an athlete, particularly skilled as a wrestler. His

given name was Aristocles, after his grandfather, but the

coach under whom he trained is said to have called him

“Platon” — from the Greek for broad “platys” on account

of his broad-shouldered frame.

Famous Quotations:

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools,

because they have to say something.”

“Only the dead have seen the end of war.”

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worker

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drink


THE HOUSE DOG AND THE WOLF BY GAIL TERP 2015

Aesop was a slave and story-teller who was believed to have lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BCE. This story is part of his collection of tales known as “Aesop’s Fables,” which has influenced modern storytelling culture. As you read this classic story, take notes about the things that are worth sacrificing for.

It had been a long and miserable winter for Wolf. His hunting had not gone well for many weeks and his ribs were nearly sticking through his skin. One night, as Wolf was out seeking something to eat, he met a house dog. “You are looking very well, Cousin,” said Wolf. “Here I am, near starvation, and you are clearly well fed. What is your secret?” “Oh, there is no secret,” said Dog. “I simply have a wonderful job. I guard my master’s house and keep away any thieves. In return, he treats me very well.” “Lucky for you! If only I had it so easy. For me, life is a constant struggle.” “But you can have this grand life, too,” said Dog. “Just travel with me to my master’s house and help me keep the thieves away.” “Happily,” said Wolf. “I’d love to have a belly full of food for a change.” While they were trotting along together, Wolf spotted a mark on Dog’s neck. Curious, he asked what had caused it. “Oh, that’s nothing much,” replied Dog. “Perhaps my collar was a little tight.” “You wear a collar?” Wolf backed away from Dog. “That’s nothing to worry about," said Dog. "I wear a collar so my master can hook my chain to it." “You are chained?” cried Wolf in surprise. “You mean you are not free to go wherever you please?” “Not exactly,” said the dog, looking embarrassed. “You see, my master thinks I’m a bit wild and so he ties me up in the daytime. But he lets me run free at night.” Wolf backed a few more steps away from Dog. “Wolf, it’s a good deal,” said Dog. “I get plenty of sleep during the day, and then I am free at night. I am my master's favourite and he feeds me very well.” Wolf turned and started to walk toward the forest. “But wait, where are you going?” cried Dog. “Good night to you, poor Cousin,” said Wolf. “You are welcome to your grand life—and your chains. As for me, I will keep my freedom.” Moral: Lean freedom is better than fat slavery. TASKS: 1. What is Dog’s opinion of his own life? Select one and evidence to explain your ideas.

A. Dog is upset that he is a slave to his master. B. Overall, Dog is happy with his situation in life. C. Dog envies Wolf’s freedom. D. Dog feels that his life is better than Wolf’s.

2. When Wolf turns to leave Dog, what is the tone of his closing words? Select one and explain your answer.

A. Sad and disappointed B. Sympathetic and concerned C. Judgmental and disapproving D. Elated and joyful

3. The moral of this story is “Lean freedom is better than fat slavery” Do you agree with this statement? Explain the reasons for your answer in detail with examples as evidence for your point of view.


Susan Hill - ‘Printer’s Devil Court' Just before midnight I set off to walk back to the club. My route was the old one, but this corner of London had changed a good deal. Fleet Street no longer housed the hot metal presses and many of the old alleys and courts had long gone, most of them bombed to smithereens by the Blitz. Once or twice I took a wrong turn and ended up among new buildings I didn’t recognise. At one point, I retraced my steps for a hundred yards and suddenly I was thrown back in time. I realised that the old Printers Devil’s Court, where I had lodged, had been laid waste and that the hospital club was now sited on part of the same ground. I thought little of it – Printer’s Devil Court held no special memories for me, other than those last peculiar and unpleasant ones. I was about to turn into the club when I noticed that there was still a passageway to one side and saw the tower of St-Luke’s-at-the-Gate rising up ahead of me in the fitful moonlight. I stood stock still. London churches are always a fine sight and I was glad that this one, with a surprising number of others, had escaped destruction. The passageway ended at the back of the old graveyard, as before, and that seemed unchanged, the tombstones still leaning this way and that and even more thickly covered in moss. And then I saw her. She was a few yards away from me, moving among the graves, pausing here and there to bend over and peer, as if trying to make out the inscriptions, before moving on again. She wore a garment of a pale silvery grey that seemed strangely gauze-like and her long hair was loose and free. She had her back to me. I was troubled to see a young woman wandering here at this time of night and started towards her, to offer to escort her away. She must have heard me because she turned and I was startled by her beauty, her pallor and even more, by the expression of distress on her face. She came towards me quickly, holding out her hand and seeming about to plead with me, but as she drew near, I noticed a curious blank and glassy look in her eyes and a coldness increased around me, more intense than that of the night alone. I waited. The nearer she came the greater the cold but I did not – why should I? – link it in any way to the young woman, but simply to the effects of standing still in this place where sunlight rarely penetrated in which had a dankness that came from the very stones and from the cold ground. “Are you unwell?” I asked. “You should not be here alone at this time of night – let me see you safely to your home.” She appeared puzzled by my voice and her body trembled beneath the pale clothes. “You will catch your death of cold.” She stretched out both her hands to me then but I shrank back, unaccountably loathe to take them. Her eyes had the same staring and yet vacant look now that she was close to me. But she was fully alive and breathing and I had no reason to fear. “Please tell me what is wrong?” There was a second only during which we both stood facing one another silently in that bleak and deserted place and something seemed to happen to the passing of time, which was now frozen still, now hurtling backwards, now propelling us into the present again, but then on, and forwards, faster and faster, so that the ground appeared to shift beneath my feet, yet nothing moved and when the church clock struck, it was only half past midnight. TASKS: 1. Define the following words: Smithereens, fitful, gauze, loathe 2. How does the writer present setting in the first three paragraphs? Use evidence in your answer. 3. How does the writer shift the focus in the third paragraph? Explain the effect of the short sentence and

introduction of a character. 4. What impression are you given of the female character in the graveyard? Use evidence in your answer. 5. “The woman in the graveyard seems like she wants help” Explain your point of view on the statement referring

to evidence from the text in your answer.


TASKS:

1. Identify the adjective in each sentence, then rewrite them all replacing the adjective with a new one:

His finest soldiers were among the thousands of casualties

Led by Pyrrhus, Greek forces defeated the Romans in two bruising battles

Pyrrhus was king of Epirus, an influential state of Greece, from 297-272 BC

A powerful and ruthless leader

His army suffered heavy, highly damaging losses

2. Use-an-allusion in your own writing: An allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance Write a short paragraph describing a time you won at something but felt that it wasn't worth it as the victory took too great a toll on you. Use the phrase ‘Pyrrhic victory’ to describe it at some point.

Pyrrhic Victory

A victory that has such a damaging effect on the winner that it is as bad as a defeat.

Pyrrhus was king of Epirus, a state of Greece, from 297-272 BC. A powerful and ruthless

leader, he secured greater power in Greece by going to war against his own brother-in-

law and having his co-leader, Neoptolemus II, murdered. But he is best known for

becoming one of the strongest opponents of the early Roman Empire. Led by Pyrrhus,

Greek forces defeated the Romans in two bruising battles but, in the process, his

army suffered heavy, highly damaging losses. His finest soldiers were among the

thousands of casualties.

A Pyrrhic Victory?

Looking back on his victory in the second

battle with Rome, Pyrrhus famously said:

"If we are victorious in one more battle

with the Romans, we shall be utterly

ruined"

As a result, the name of Pyrrhus has become

associated with a victory that comes at too

great a cost.

Examples of usage:

The following newspaper headlines all use

the term ‘Pyrrhic victory’.

The five costs of UK's pyrrhic Brexit victory

Rise of electric cars pyrrhic victory if

powered by fossil fuels

Roma earn 2-0 pyrrhic victory after losing

Totti and Gervinho

Pronunciation!

Pyrrhus is pronounced, ‘PIR-OUS’.

Pyrrhic is pronounced, ‘PIR-RIC’

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YEAR 8 H/W: AUTUMN WEEK 1