Chapter 6 - The Sound of a Pony and Trap. Learning Objective -

Transcription

1 Chapter 6 - The Sound of a Pony and Trap Learning Objective - a. To develop close understanding of the effect the horse incident had on Arthur. b. What is a theme and how is it presented in Chapter 6?

2 1. When he realised that it was a child how did he feel? (pg 88) 2. What does Arthur want to do when he gets back to Eel Marsh? Why does he return to Eel Marsh? (pg 88) Learning Objective - To develop close understanding of the effect the horse incident had on Arthur. 3. What thoughts are running through Arthur s mind on page 88? 4. On page 89, what did Arthur do when he came into the house and how did he feel? 5. Wandering through Eel Marsh, what did Arthur encounter?(page 91) 6. On page 92, How did Arthur feel when he slumped down on the plush-covered sofa? Identify three quotations and summarise in your own words. 7. Read through pages Identify 5 important points that assist our understanding of the setting and/or the character of Arthur. 8. On page 93, when Arthur heard the bell sounding what thoughts came to mind? Who was at the door? 9. On page 95, what did Arthur realise about what he heard on the marshes on The Nine Lives Causeway?

3 The Search for Meaning Theme refers to the broad issues that the play is about. What does the play have to say about the human condition, about life, in general? It is the central, underlying idea or insight into the writing. It is the idea that the writer wishes to convey about the subject. It is not expressed in a single word used by the writer, not is the purpose of a work or the conflict presented in the text. Themes are not explicit (clearly stated) but rather implicit. Themes are bigger than the story. Themes are about the big world and are explored in the small world of the story.

4 What theme or big idea is presented in this chapter?

5 What is meant by these terms and how do each relate to Arthur s experience in Chapter 6? Paranoia Confusion Fear Supernatural

6 How are the following themes explored in this chapter? a. Fear and confusion b. The supernatural Helpful tips - a. Describe an example where the main character experiences: fear and confusion and the supernatural (the woman in black and the sound apparition of the child drowning in the marshes that the woman recreates) b. Identify a specific example from the chapter and explain how the theme is present in this example. c. Examine how specific language choices or structure of the sentences contribute to our understanding of the theme.

7 Confusion and fear is a key theme explored through the character of Kipps, who is wary through his encounters with the WIB. At the beginning of the chapter he is finds himself constantly looking behind himself sensing her presence stating he glanced over his shoulder, half expecting to catch sight of the black figure of the woman The use of first person allows the audience to experience first hand how Arthur feels trapped because of the mist which descends surrounding him. We start to see his mental state deteriorating early on in this chapter. Added to this Hill uses pathetic fallacy to represent the confusion and fear as the fog is described as trapping him and therefore confusing him. Tension is heightened for both Arthur and the reader through the fear of the unknown. Both the reader and Arthur experience confusion can his vision is impaired and blurred and is completely relying on the sounds surrounding him. Walking back to Eel Marsh, Arthur is travelling through impenetrable mist on the Nine Lives Causeway.

8 Both the reader and Arthur experiences a false sense of security through the use of onomatopoeic sounds of the pony and trap s clip clop', believing that it is Keckwick and narrates I heard the sound that lifted my heart. However Arthur soon realises that the noises are moving away from him, not from the causeway, but somewhere out on the marshes shortly followed by screams of a boy. The use of only sound convey a sense of helplessness. The use of verbs in I stood and waited, straining to hear through the mist. conveys a sense of great unease and confusion. The supernatural is explored through the apparition of the WIB who manipulates the weather to reenact her son s death every night. The sound of the drowning child blurs the lines between what is real and what isn t for Arthur and the reader. Horrific sound imagery in what Arthur heard next chilled and horrified is amplified through the usage of the onomatopoeic words draining, sucking, churning. Arthur begins to then question his senses and his sanity. However this chapter Arthur finally makes a breakthrough, realizing that he is not going insane and he finally realizes that something sinister and ghostly is happening at Eel marsh house.