Extended Response: The Role of Fate

Fate is an essential part in Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet”, from Romeo and Juliet being STAR- crossed lovers, to everything being mapped out and written in the stars.

Shakespeare often refers to Romeo and Juliet being star-crossed lovers, like they were always meant to be together. This theme of fate is what the whole play revolves around, as Romeo and Juliet believe that it is their destiny to be together. This is partly why their relationship is so spontaneous and happened very rapidly, because they automatically believe that they have to be together.

Another factor of fate in the play is how Romeo believes that is whole life is planned out for him, therefore when something bad happens, he takes no responsibility for it and he thinks that fate and fortune is playing him. This is exemplified by the quote, “then I defy you stars”, (Act 5, Scene 1, Line 24). This quotation shows how Romeo is angry with the stars for playing with him. In this example fate and fortune are referred to as people by using the technique of personification.

Another theme that goes hand in hand with fate is the theme of tragedy, as Shakespeare outlines to the audience from the start of the play, that something horrible is going to happen, however it must happen because it is fate and their destiny. This is shown in the following quotation, “The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love, (Act 1, Prologue, Line 9), This is exemplifying the technique of foreshadowing, when we are informed that something bad is going to happen soon. This technique of foreshadowing is used a lot with the theme of fate because, in the play fate is inevitable and is sometimes a tragedy.

As you can see fate is a major influence on the play of Romeo and Juliet as it is what provides a foundation for all the other themes to occur. Without fate, it would not be the same story of romance and tragedy.

Love vs. Lust:

In Shakespeare’s famous play ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Romeo and Juliet are described to be star crossed lovers that are so devoted to each other that they would even kill themselves if they could not be together. However you have to wonder whether it was love that they were feeling or was it lust. Romeo proposes to Juliet hours after they meet for the first time, and Romeo was so attracted to Juliet because of her looks and beauty and not necessarily for who she was as a person. This would be Lust instead of Love as it was about physical and visual attraction. Another factor could be their young age as Juliet was only 13 years old and Romeo was 16. Because they were so young they wouldn’t have experienced a lot of love in their lives therefore they may think that they are in love when they are actually just physically attracted to each other. You also have the fact that Romeo was so in love with Rosaline and then as soon as he meets Juliet he completely forgets about her, which shows that what he is feeling is not really love, it is more similar to feelings associated with lust.

Extended Response: Representations of Love with 'Romeo and Juliet'

Love is one of the main themes behind Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’. This theme of love is portrayed through many different representations of love. The play starts of with Romeo being hopelessly and immensely in love with Rosaline. Romeo describes this kind of love like torture, as he cannot do anything but think about her. “Not mad, but bound more than a madman is; shut up in prison, kept without my food, whipt and tormented…” (Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 50-52). This line from the play, whilst it is a slight over exaggeration it shows how tortured Romeo is by love, it is all consuming and overwhelming.

Quite different to Romeo’s representation of love, is the viewpoint that love is all about the physical and sexual aspects. The main character that has this viewpoint is Mercutio. Mercutio’s character often makes dirty humor and refers to the fact that love is for fun and is only about the physical aspects. “If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark” (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 33). This line is referring to the fact that Mercutio thinks that love is all about appearances, because he thinks that without appearance there would be no love.

Finally the last main representation of love is the love that Romeo and Juliet feel for each other. This love is all about fate and what is written in the stars. They feel as though it is their destiny to be together. Romeo sees Juliet to be light that has pulled him out of the darkness he was in because of Rosaline. “The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, as daylight doth lamp; her eyes in heaven” (Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 19-20). This shows how much Romeo is influenced by the fact that she is so light and bright like a star or an angel. It also offers a contrast from the darkness he felt for Rosaline. Shakespeare’s technique of ‘foreshadowing’ is used to hint at the fact that fate will take its part, and because Romeo and Juliet’s love relates so much to the stars and destiny, it mainly applies to them. “A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life” (Act 1, Prologue, Line 6). This line hints to the fact that they are going to die even before the play begins, but it also highlights how it is their fate and that it is destined to happen just like their love.

Notes on Marriage Customs

Expectations of daughters in Elizabethan England:

The most important thing that a daughter can do is to be honest and also to be a virgin until they are married, because if they do not have these things they are considered to be nothing.

17th Century rules regarding marriage:

The main rules regarding marriage state that you can only be married between the hours of eight and twelve and not on a holy day. The marriage must take place in a church or chapel. People under the age of 21 must have a guardian present to give consent. The minister is not to marry any person without a license.

Marriage Customs:

At seven years of age a girls father’s could match them with a husband, at nine she started getting dowry, at twelve she was old enough to consent to the marriage (although many women did not have a choice). At the age of sixteen she will actually get married. The engagement was done in two stages, the first being of an agreement to marry and the second being the taking of an oath. The chastity of a women was their principal virtue, if they did not have that no man would look after her, and they would also receive serious implications.

Empathy Responce

Scenario: It is 2012 and a girl in her late teens has started dating someone who she believes is her true love. Unfortunately, her parents, family and friends don't approve of the relationship and are trying to force her to end it. Her parents have even gone so far as to say that they will disown her if she doesn't stop the relationship. In her diary she writes down her feelings about the whole situation. What does she write?

Dear Diary,

Why is this my life? Why are my family and friends turning on me? The only person who supports me is Ethan, but my parents forbid me to see him. My parents don’t like him because of his family background and because he is not socially sophisticated like my family are. Why can’t I be with someone I really love and be happy, instead of being with someone my parents approve of but being sad and unhappy for the rest of my life.

I love Ethan so much, and can’t imagine living without him. But everyone is trying to get me to break up with him, my parents are even going to disown me! What is even worse is that even my friends don't approve of him. I can expect my parents to disapprove of him, but my friends! The people I trust the most. I don’t know what to do, I have no one to turn to except Ethan, but if I do turn to him my parents will disown me.

Last night Ethan asked me to run away with him, and I am seriously considering it. But I don't know what to do about my family and friends because if I leave, I will never be able to come back, and I am not sure if I am ready to leave my parents. But at the same time I love Ethan so much that I am willing to do anything to be with him.

All the romance movies show how love concurs all, and I truly believe this, but if I choose my true love I will lose everyone else that I love. Why does my family think that they can tell me what to do and say that it's the best thing for me, when I know that it is not!!!! WHY DOES MY LIFE HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS!!!!!!

"Love Story" By Taylor Swift Discussion Questions:

Outline the subject matter of the poem?

The subject matter of the poem is a modern version of Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet”. The song outlines young love and the struggles that young people face. The song makes particular reference to the fact that they are using the story of “Romeo and Juliet”. An example of this in the song us the line “'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter, And my daddy said stay away from Juliet. But you were everything to me, I was begging you please don't go”, this is making particular reference to the story line of the original play, as Romeo and Juliet were star-crossed lovers from families that hated each other. For example Juliet says “ My only love has sprung from my only hate.” This is reflected throughout the song aswell.

Why is the poem entitled “Love Story”? Use evidence from the lyrics to support the titles significance and relevance.

The poem is entitled “Love Story”, because it is story that they are telling us about their love and the struggle to get it. Stories always have climax’s and plots and are not always simple, which is a reflection of their love. The line in the poem, “This love is difficult, but it's real, Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess, It's a love story, baby, just say yes”. This line makes particular reference to the fact that it is a love story, but it also shows how they recognize the story when she says, “This love is difficult, but it’s real”.

 Describe the relationship between the two characters.  Who are they?

The two characters are young and in love, they are slightly dramatizing their relationship in a make believe story, however it is still reflecting their true feelings and emotions. An example of their true love is the line in the song, “I love you and that's all I really know”, this line shows how they don't really know what else is happening but they do know that they love each other.

What evidence is there to suggest that these lovers have to overcome obstacles in their relationship?

The lovers have to overcome struggles of status and family as highlighted in the line, “'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter. And my daddy said stay away from Juliet”. There are obviously some issues between their families that are preventing them from being together as her dad tells Romeo to stay away from her. But eventually they work out their issues when he asks her to marry her and he says, “I talked to your dad, you'll pick out a white dress, It's a love story, baby, just say yes”.

What themes and issues are explored in the lyrics and through the video clip?

The theme that is mostly explored throughout the lyrics and video is the theme of forbidden love. The two lovers are not socially accepted together, but they will still do anything to be with each other. “So I sneak out to the garden to see you. We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew, So close your eyes, escape this town for a little while”, this line from the song shows how they are hiding their relationship and how their love is forbidden, but they still love each other enough to stay with it.

How does the “Love story” end for Romeo and Juliet in the song? Is this how it ends for the Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? Why does Taylor Swift end her song this way? What perspective is she writing from and why would they want the story to end this way?

“Love Story” ends with them being together happily with all their problems resolved. However this is unlike Shakespeare’s version where they both take their own lives. Taylor Swift wanted to end the story this way to make it a happy story that people would want to listen to. However she is also showing people that things can work out and love does not always have to end tragically. She is offering a nice contrast to Shakespeare version that people might actually relate to.   

SPECS and SLIMS: Not Ready To Make Nice, By the Dixie Chicks

Subject Matter:

The subject matter of this song is about not forgetting what you have done, even if you have offended people. Because you believe in it and your not going to stop being yourself.

Purpose:

This song was written about backlash that the band faced after Natalie’s comments about G.W. Bush, the president of America at the time. It was written to show people how they did what they did because the believed in it and you cant take away people’s beliefs because then they wouldn’t be themselves anymore.

Emotion:

The emotion in this song is very strong willed and determined. You can sense the bravery and the strength behind the words of the song, as they are fighting for what they believe in.

Craftsmanship:

The author has used a variety of techniques in the song including lanuuage, tone, emotion, sound and structure to really impact us and make us feel the way that the band does.

Summary:

Structure:

The song has eight stanzas, three of which are the chorus and the rest are the verses. Most of the stanzas are not the same length and have different content in each.

Language:

The language in the song has a very strong demeanor, it is also very impacting. You can tell that the choice of the words that the writers are putting there heart and soul in to the lyrics.

Imagery:

Within this song there are a lot of examples from the situation the band actually went through. So you get a picture painted of what was going on even if you were not there to experience it. For example “That they'd write me a letter Sayin' that I better shut up and sin Or my life will be over” this is relating to the hate that they got after the comments were made.

Movement:

The song does not really have any sound features, however it is musical as there is music that goes with it. The words as well as the music help create a beat that you listen or read it to which is the movement of the song.

Sound:

There is alliteration in the line “I don't have time to go round and round and round” this affect makes the song more catchy and go more in a rhythm. The song also rhymes which also helps add to the beat and rhythm of the music.

Contemporary responses to war: Chicks In the Line of Fire

1. How effective is the headline?

The headline of the article is quite effective as it draws people in because of the play on words it has used. The author has used the word “Chicks” to represent the Dixie Chicks. This attracts more audience because of the use of the informal language. Also the way that the author wrote the words “in the Line of Fire” represents the fact that the Dixie Chicks have been in a lot of trouble lately, but it also refers to that fact that the author is talking a bit about war.

2. The journalist has chosen not to include an extensive byline. Do you think this is a good decision? Explain your answer.

I think that this is a good idea, because some of the content within the article is quite confronting to some people. Also many people have had problems with the Dixie Chicks, so the author could become another person of attack if people know a lot about her.

3. How does the introductory paragraph help your understanding of what the article will be about?

It makes reference to the things that the Dixie Chicks said to get this whole incident started. It also give as brief introduction on the members of the Dixie Chicks, and there beliefs as well as what they stand for, as this is very important to know in order to understand the article.

4. What kind of tone do you think the journalist is trying to achieve? Provide examples to explain your answer.

The author has both a plain fact stating tone the same as a news reporter would have. But at times there is sympathy in her voice as she is trying to defend the Dixie Chicks. There is also a bit of anger when she is describing what people thought about the Dixie Chicks. For example when the author writes, “As proof, the first single from the Dixie Chicks' new album, Taking the Long Way (out May 23), is called Not Ready to Make Nice. It is, as one country radio programmer says, "a four-minute f___-you to the format and our listeners. I like the Chicks, and I won't play it." Few other stations are playing Not Ready to Make Nice, and while it has done well on iTunes, it's quite possible that in singing about their anger at people who were already livid with them and were once their target audience” you can see in this segment of the article that the author has some feelings of disgust towards the things that people were saying about the Dixie Chicks.

5. What do you think the journalist's purpose was in writing this article? Provide examples to help prove your answer.

I think that the writers purpose of writing this article was to defend and justify the things that the Dixie Chicks have been through. You can tell this because at the end of the article you feel like the Dixie Chicks were the good side whilst everyone else who was attacking them was wrong.

6. The journalist makes considerable use of direct quotations throughout the article. How does this affect your understanding of the article and influence your opinion of the band members? Use evidence to support your claims.

A lot of the quotations in the article make you feel like you were part of the argument as you heard all the sides and were witnessing everything. This effect influences the way you feel about the band members because you feel as though you know all the facts and then you decide that the Dixie Chicks were actually good and they were just standing up for what they believed in.

7. How effective do you think this article is in achieving the journalist's purpose? Explain your answer in full please.

I think that the writer was very successful in achieving her purpose because as I said before the purpose of the article was to defend and justify the actions of the Dixie Chicks. This purpose was achieved because at the end of the article I felt like the Dixie Chicks were in the wrong and that all those things that people did to them was disgusting behavior.

John McCrae

John McCrae:

John McCrae was born on the 30^th of November 1872 in Ontario, Canada. He died on the 28^th of January 1918 at the age of 45, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. He developed an intrest in poetry at a young age, and wrote throughout his life. He was Canadian and was a Lieutenant Colonel. He died in the time of World War 1 and he was 45 at the age that he died, this was because he died of pneumonia, which was a common illness at the time.

He was writing about World War 1 as this was the war that he lived through and died during. World War 1 began on the 28^th of July 1914, and lasted until the 11^th of November 1918. It was predominantly called the ‘World War’ or the ‘Great War’ until World War 2. It involved all the world’s great powers. It was the world’s sixths-deadliest conflict in world history.

The most popular and famous poem John McCrae has written is ‘In Flanders Fields’. It was written during the First World War, and was inspired to be written on May the 3^rd, 1915, after his friend and fellow soldier, Alexis Helmer died. It is one of the most popular and most quoted poems from the war. Its reference to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen soldiers resulted in the remembrance poppy becoming one of the worlds most recognised memorial symbols for soldiers who have died in conflict.

Specs and Slims: An Irish Airman Foresees His Death

Specs and Slims: An Irish Airman Foresees His Death

Subject Matter:

The poem is about an airman that knows that he is going to die, however he is not scared and he is embracing it because he knows that it is his fate.

Purpose:

The purpose of this poem is to show how the author loves flying and that they would do it wherever because it is what they love, even if they have to do it in a warzone. Also that he is not afraid of death because he will be doing what he loves.

Emotion:

The emotion is a bit sad, as you know that he is going to die, but as you keep reading you realize that he has accepted it and he is okay with it and this makes you feel quite peaceful.

Craftsmanship:

The poet does this by creating an atmosphere where death is not feared but it is expected and inevitable and people just accept it.

Structure:

The poem is just in one large stanza.

Language:

The language in the poem is in older English, but it goes with the theme of the poem as it was written in a world war. The language also helps guide the emotion of the poem, as the language is not overly sad and it is more peaceful and calming.

Imagery:

There is an example of a metaphor in the line “My county is Kiltartan Cross,” this give a stronger connection to the word as you are saying that it is something.

The word fate has been used as a euphemism in the line “I KNOW that I shall meet my fate”, in this fate is used instead of the word death to give it a nicer meaning, but in a way that will still know what the poet is referring to.

Movement:

There is a sound feature where the word tumult is used in the line “Drove to this tumult in the clouds;” this word is used to explain the sound of the rapid shooting that was going on in the air. It gives you a sense of movement as you can imagine the shots being fired to the rhythm that the poem is being read at.

Sound:

There is an example of alliteration in the line “I balanced all, brought all to mind”, this gives the effect of a rhythm when you are reading or saying the poem.

The poem also rhymes every second line, which gives you a rhythm as you read a long, which makes it a lot more enjoyable to read.

Summary:

This poem is very impacting as it is quite different from other war poems which show the element of death being scary or feared, however within this poem death is embraced as the poet knows that it is inevitable and that if he dies doing what he loves then it will be okay. This also occurs with the mood of the poem as it is quite sad at the beginning, but as people adjust to the fact that death is going to happen either way the poem becomes quite peaceful and calming. 

Specs and Slims: An Irish Airman Foresees His Death

Specs and Slims: An Irish Airman Foresees His Death

Subject Matter:

The poem is about an airman that knows that he is going to die, however he is not scared and he is embracing it because he knows that it is his fate.

Purpose:

The purpose of this poem is to show how the author loves flying and that they would do it wherever because it is what they love, even if they have to do it in a warzone. Also that he is not afraid of death because he will be doing what he loves.

Emotion:

The emotion is a bit sad, as you know that he is going to die, but as you keep reading you realize that he has accepted it and he is okay with it and this makes you feel quite peaceful.

Craftsmanship:

The poet does this by creating an atmosphere where death is not feared but it is expected and inevitable and people just accept it.

Structure:

The poem is just in one large stanza.

Language:

The language in the poem is in older English, but it goes with the theme of the poem as it was written in a world war. The language also helps guide the emotion of the poem, as the language is not overly sad and it is more peaceful and calming.

Imagery:

There is an example of a metaphor in the line “My county is Kiltartan Cross,” this give a stronger connection to the word as you are saying that it is something.

The word fate has been used as a euphemism in the line “I KNOW that I shall meet my fate”, in this fate is used instead of the word death to give it a nicer meaning, but in a way that will still know what the poet is referring to.

Movement:

There is a sound feature where the word tumult is used in the line “Drove to this tumult in the clouds;” this word is used to explain the sound of the rapid shooting that was going on in the air. It gives you a sense of movement as you can imagine the shots being fired to the rhythm that the poem is being read at.

Sound:

There is an example of alliteration in the line “I balanced all, brought all to mind”, this gives the effect of a rhythm when you are reading or saying the poem.

The poem also rhymes every second line, which gives you a rhythm as you read a long, which makes it a lot more enjoyable to read.

Summary:

This poem is very impacting as it is quite different from other war poems which show the element of death being scary or feared, however within this poem death is embraced as the poet knows that it is inevitable and that if he dies doing what he loves then it will be okay. This also occurs with the mood of the poem as it is quite sad at the beginning, but as people adjust to the fact that death is going to happen either way the poem becomes quite peaceful and calming. 

Maus Chapter Review

Chapter Summary: Book 2 Chapter 5

1. Give a general overview (description) of what happens in this chapter.

In this chapter everything is resolved and the end of both stories resolved. You find out what happened at the end of the war and Vladek and Anja finally found each other again. You also find out what happened to Vladek at the end of his life and what Artie does.

2. Identify which main themes are seen in this chapter.

The main themes within this chapter are love, survival, family and journey.

3. Tell us what we learn about the main characters in this chapter.

There is not many new things that we learn about the main characters as it is the final chapter of the book. However we do learn that Vladek is in fact getting a lot sicker and eventually his body can’t take it anymore and he dies. We learn that Artie starts to care a lot more about his dad and is there a lot to be with him through his final days. We learn that it took a long time for Anja and Vladek to find each other again, and we learnt how happy they were.

4. Explain what Art Speigelman is trying to tell us about the main themes in this chapter (what is his message?)

Love: The theme of love is giving us the message of the love that Anja and Vladek feel for each other. The love powerful enough to get them both through being separated for that long with the horrible situation going on around them. It is also giving us the message of how much Artie actually loves his father even though he doesn't always show it.

Survival: The theme of survival is conveying the message of that feeling of accomplishment and happiness that they made it through the war and all the violence that they were lucky enough to survive when so many didn’t.

Family: The feeling of family that comes when you get through an experience like the holocaust and you want to be with people and your family. Also the way that family looks after each other and supports one another.

Journey: The journey that Vadek and Anya had to go through and the summing up of the whole traumatic experience that they had to go through, was like the end of the journey that the book portrayed.

5. Identify the various techniques that Art Speigelman uses in this chapter to help us understand the themes and the characters.

·      Relationships/interactions between characters

·      Sequencing of events

6. Explain why/how these techniques are effective.

Speigelman uses the technique of relationships and the interaction between characters to help us understand the themes and characters in the book. The interaction between Anja and Vladek help us understand the themes of love and family and help us understand how much Vladek and Anja really love each other. Speigelman also uses the technique of sequencing of events as the constant flipping and changing of time periods helps sum up the journeys taken by the character and finishes both stories at once creating the sense of resolution.

Extended Responses

1. Uncle Jimmy is integral to Sophie’s emotional recovery. What does he do that helps her rebuild her confidence and find happiness?

By helping Sophie through her emotional recovery, Jimmy pushes Sophie to gain her back her confidence and find happiness again. Everyone around Sophie is scared she is going to break so they are always so cautious and careful around her, but Jimmy argues with her and doesn't care if he over steps the boundaries because he is not afraid of tip toeing around her. “You aunt is a bloody artist. You should be able to paint or draw or do… something. Yeah, I shot back at him, I should be able to dance like my mother and paint like my aunt, play soccer like my brother and cut out cancer from people’s guts like Dad! But I can’t do any of it. Sorry!”(p.236). This quotation shows how Jimmy has pushed Sophie and tried to argue with her so that she steps out of her comfort zone and says what she is really feeling, which is what she does in this quotation. Jimmy is very important in Sophie’s recovery period as he allows and pushes her to let her feelings out instead of keeping them bundled in.

2. Describe the character of Raymond and the dynamic between him and Fran.

Raymond and Fran have a very dynamic relationship because of the way that Raymond is portrayed. In the novel, when you are first introduced to the character Raymond he is very rude and bad mannered. But for some reason Fran is in a relation ship with him, this makes you think Raymond might only be nice to Fran because he likes her but he is rude to everyone else. “Do you have any idea how very talented your friend is? He said loudly to Amy, then he turned to glare with narrowed eyes at Geraldine. Your sister?”(p.182). This quotation highlights the rude and snarky attitude Raymond has towards others, but his attitude changes to be much more sweet and calm when he is talking to Fran. Fran and Raymond’s relationship is dynamic because of the way that the character of Raymond interacts with Fran and others.

Practice Essay

Essay Question:

Geraldine and Fran had events from their past that ruined their relationship as sisters. Explain what unfolded between these two women that led to their hatred of each other (include direct quotations). In your essay response, you should also consider whether only one character was in the wrong or both were to blame. You should also think about whether Geraldine should forgive Fran or whether it is right that she has held a grudge for all these years.

Re-Written Question:

This question is asking me to highlight the events from Fran and Geraldine’s past and how these events triggered their hatred for one another. You have to decide if only one character has started this hatred or if both of them contributed. You should also decide if Geraldine should forgive Fran and if she should have held a grudge for all these years.

Essay Response:

In the novel Chain of Hearts by Maureen McCarthy Geraldine and Fran have un resolved issues from their past, which has led to their mutual hatred of each other. Looking back at these issues and how they have shaped the two sisters relationship will give us a better insight about how this hatred first started and if both of the sisters are to blame for their hatred and if they should finally forgive each other.

One of the ways that the mutual hatred between Geraldine and Fran began, could have been because of the environment they grew up in. When Geraldine was a small child her father was always very strict towards her. “He was a good father, but distant and stern. At least in those early years.”(p.289). However when Fran was born she was treated a lot better by her father. “Fran had delighted her father. It seemed that the more violent her outbursts, the further she diverged from his own political views, the more he was interested in what she had to say.”(p.290). These quotations show how Fran was treated a lot better than Geraldine when they were younger. This could have been why Geraldine started hating Fran, because she thought her dad liked Fran better. At this point Fran may not have even realized that anything was wrong between them. But she could have started hating Geraldine because Geraldine hated her. Therefore Fran would not have hated Geraldine, until Geraldine made her hatred known to Fran. The way that Geraldine and Fran were raised and the environment that they grew up in could have triggered their hatred of each other.

The hatred between Geraldine and Fran could have also been developed because of how what happened with Geraldine’s relationship. When Paul broke of the engagement to Geraldine the night before the wedding she was so upset. Fran was very sad for her and wanted to help her through it. “What could she do? What could anyone do? She sat listening to her sister cry, feeling the blunt sense of disappointment grow steadily inside as the news sank in.”(p.35). When Fran went back to the city and she saw Paul Healey and he told Fran her true feelings for Fran and why she couldn’t marry Geraldine. “Because at that moment I was looking at you and thinking, I wish it was Fran. She’s the one I really love. I wish I was marrying Fran.”(p.59). After hearing this news Fran did not do anything with Paul. But Geraldine probably thought that it was all Fran’s fault and that she broke up her marriage, even though she did not have any feelings for Paul and even if she did she didn’t act on them. This is also an instance that Fran has done nothing wrong but Geraldine is still very mad at her because she thinks that she is purposely trying to ruin her life. Geraldine’s hatred towards Fran was built up because of why her fiancée broke off the marriage.

Geraldine and Fran’s hatred of each other is because of the issues that Geraldine has with Fran because she blames Fran for the issues that have occurred in her life, like her engagement being broken off and how she was raised as a child. However Fran has not done anything wrong and she only started to hate Geraldine because she had so much hatred for her and she did not know why. Therefore this whole feud was not Fran’s fault, instead it was Geraldine’s, and she should finally forgive Fran. This hatred between the sisters is because of the unresolved issues that Geraldine has placed upon Fran’s responsibility when it was not.

Chain of Hearts: The Narrative Structure

1. Which characters speak to us directly in the first-person? Why?

Sophie and Fran are the only people who speak in first person because they are the main characters and their personal perspective is what helps you get the main themes and ideas from the book, as they have the biggest connection to the readers. However when there are flashbacks to a different time period, especially in Fran’s case, they are in third person to give you a better idea of the full surroundings of the scene and what is happening so that you get the full idea instead of just her view of the situation.

2. The backcover blurb suggests that Sophie is the main character of the book. Do you agree? How important is Fran? Is it significant that hers is the only voice we hear directly for almost the first quarter of the book?

I do agree that Sophie is the main character because it is mainly her story that is being told, but Fran is also very important but her stories and her perspective help us understand and justify what is going on with Sophie so that we can see what it is actually happening, and not just the way that Sophie sees it. We hear Fran’s voice for almost the first quarter of the book because she is setting up the tension between her and Geraldine and then when it finally gets to Sophie’s perspective you can see how that tension has made its mark on Sophie and could have been part of the reason why she is the way she is. A quote to support Fran and Geraldine’s hatred for another is “I don't want any one least of all the teenage daughter of my enemy-sister! I’ll have to ring her back. Tell her in no uncertain terms. She hates me anyway, so why not?” (p.7). This quotation shows how Fran still hates her sister after all this time, and she also thinks that Geraldine hates her which may not be the case but because she thinks this she probably hates her more.

3. Are the voices of Sophie and Fran different? Can you identify language features in Sophie’s narrative that you do not find in Fran’s?

Sophie and Fran’s voices are quite different particularly because of their age and the era and environment they grew up in. Sophie’s voice is very informal and is not very sophisticated, she uses a lot of modern words and she swears quite a bit, she also really expresses her emotions and feelings. Fran’s voice is a calm and she has a vast range of vocabulary used in her expressions. In Sophie’s voice you can feel more of a relation and a connection to her as her voice has a greater impact because of the emotions and hidden messages flooding through it. Where as Fran’s voice you just hear the story through her ways of communicating it and it still has an impact but not as large as Sophie’s which I think the author was trying to do. However in the flash back chapters of Fran when she was back in different time periods of the past she sounded a lot more like Sophie, probably because she was a lot younger. However this helps you see the connection from Sophie and Fran because Fran has the same kind of voice as Sophie does and you can see how they are actually quite alike.

5. The climax of the novel – Sophie’s return, Geraldine’s confrontation of Fran and the fire that destroys the house – is narrated in the third-person. What reasons might Maureen McCarthy have had for avoiding first-person at this point?

All these significant and important to the books story line were written in third person so that the reader could actually understand what was going on more clearly and also so that the reader does not get a biased perspective or view of just one character. Also because the novel has switched in and out of third and first person with different characters, the author has probably written this section in third person because then the readers would not be so confused as to who was speaking when very crucial elements of the story are happening and the author does not want the readers to miss any key concepts of the novel.

6. The final pages of the novel are first-person narrative. Unlike everything that has gone before, they are also written in the present tense. What is the effect of the use of present tense in this last scene, when Sophie goes to visit the Duong family?

The effect of using present tense at the end of the novel is to show and communicate the idea that you have been on this journey with Sophie and you have watched her develop and grow and re-live memories, and now you are here at the Duong family with her. It also provides a nice ending and conclusion to the novel, because in the very beginning of the book it was present tense and then it is again at the end. So it helps the reader acknowledge that it is the end of the novel because the whole novel has been the reflection on her life at this moment in time.

Year 10 English Show Don’t Tell Exercises:

In each of the following replace the description with a paragraph in which you use the characters’ actions and words to convey the same message:

1. The hero was strong and handsome. He was admired by the townspeople. He was brave and wished to help those in need.

A girl was staring up at a tree, teardrops running down the side of her face. She knew she would never get back the one thing that she long for; that had made her so previously happy, her kite. Before she could completely collapse in her sorrows, her saviour came along. As he walked down the street people smiled and cheered. “ I will get it,” he said with a charming smooth voice. He only had to reach up to grab the kite, and he gave it to the little girl, who was jumping up and down. Everyone in the street cheered as the man brought glee to the town.

2. The wizard was ugly and evil. The people of the town were terrified of him. He enjoyed threatening them, especially the children. He was cruel and greedy.

I was walking down the street as I saw a rush of school children, running, crying and screaming. It was a disaster suddenly everyone was running around me a cluster or chaos and despair. Then I saw him, his face was teaming with horror. He had a devilish and cunning smirk on is face that played with your mind. He walked with a stance that was heavy and thudded on the ground and it sent a shiver up my spine. The children were running around trying to find their parents. Everything was a mess there were cars stopped in the middle of the street with broken glass and people robbing stores.

3. The Knight was arrogant and greedy. He did not want to help others. He only wanted to be viewed as the most handsome and talented warrior in the land.

The knight stared into the mirror and admired himself in his shiny, expensive armour suit. People were following him asking him to help them as he walked down the hallways of the castle, but he ignored everyone in his path. He was flinging around his sword and tensing his muscles.

4. The peasants were kind and helpful. They were hard working and honest people. They were scared to drawing the attention of the wizard.

The peasants would work in the fields all day and provide food for everyone else in the town. They would run errands and do all kinds of jobs for people for free. The peasants would never complain, because if they did the wizard would punish them for complaining and the peasants did not want this. When the wizard would walk around the fields looking for someone who wasn't doing the work effectively he would grab them and beat them with his stick that he carried around. All the peasants kept working even though they were watching their friend getting punished but they just kept working so that they wouldn't draw the attention of the wizard.

Using Your Senses to Write:

Situation to re-write: It was time for breakfast. Sense: Smell/Taste

I could hear the crackling and popping of the bacon as it was moved on to the plate, from the bubbly, oily frying pan. I could smell the wonderful taste and I knew it was no good for me, but I had to have it. My mouth was salivating as I waited for mum’s most precious voice to say breakfast was ready, but I couldn’t bear the wait. I rushed down the stairs and saw the runny egg yolk and the crispy crunch of the bacon. I could smell the fat and oil lingering of the bacon and the sweet memorizing smell of the eggs. I dipped a piece of the bacon into the runny golden egg yolk, and plunged it in to my mouth. I could taste a million tastes all making my senses to crazy. The crunch of the bacon completely and utterly complemented, the soft fluffiness of the runny egg yolk, I had to have more.

Situation to re-write: It was a dark and stormy night Sense: Hear

I was in bed all alone, then suddenly I heard the crack of thunder and lighting that followed, it pierced through my ears and in to me, as my whole body shivered. Followed by that I heard the howling and growling of the wind, like a wolf was out there calling for me. I wrapped myself up in my blanket and lied there, terrified for whatever sound was coming next. The thunder made my whole bed move as I covered my ears unable to bear any more sounds.

Situation to re-write: She cuddled up to her teddy bear Sense: Touch/Feel

I had been looking for my teddy bear all night, then finally, I found it, it was under the bed I picked it up and pressed it against my chest and squeezed it as tight as I could. I could feel the soft fluffy fur that surrounded it and the way it touched my skin, it made me get goose bumps of happiness. I could feel the soft marshy hollow space inside the teddy bear and I squeezed it tighter.

Situation to re-write: They were walking down the street in the city Sense: Sight

I was walking down the street in New York City, overwhelmed by all the lights and signs that surrounded me. The flickering lights advertising various products drew me in and made me feel apart of something. My eyes were amazed by the vast contrasts in the light and I had to blink to make sure it was real. I had never seen anything like this before, I was astonished, I wondered how people could just walk past and not be amazed by this light of wonder.