PT3 ENGLISH LITERATURE

Literature Component 2015 for Form 1

Poems

News Break by Max Fatchen

Sad I Ams by Trevor Millum

Short Story

Fair’s Fair by Narinder Dhani

Graphic Novel

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne King Arthur retold by Janet Hardy-Gould

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature

POEMS 1   News Break by Max Fatchen Paraphrase of the Poem Stanza 1 • The persona is greeted with a kiss and a hug from her child who offers to help her with some work. She is puzzled with the change in his behaviour. Stanza 2 • The child looks clean and his clothes are not creased. It is surprising that he did not spend his lunch money, an unusual occurrence. Stanza 3 • When the child arrives home, he does not drop his school books or shriek out like a rebel as he usually does. Stanza 4 • The persona feels as if she is talking to a stranger and not her usual noisy child. She wants to take a closer look at him to satisfy her curiosity that it is really him. Stanza 5 • She wonders if he had been struck by lightning or hit during a game. Then, she notices his school report in his hand and understands the reason for his sudden change in behaviour.

Themes • • • • • •

Awareness of changes in people’s behaviour Being alert to changes in our surroundings Understanding young people Changes and circumstances Accepting reasons without prejudice Necessity is the mother of invention

Values • • • • •

We must be aware of changes in the ways people think and act. We need to be alert to changes in our surroundings. There are times when young people need the support of their elders. Circumstances may force us to make changes. When young people hide their reasons for behaving differently, adults should attempt to understand them. • We must be prepared to make changes in the face of imperative needs.

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature 

Structure, style and language

Tone and mood

Five stanzas

Loving and questioning

Rhyming scheme: abcb

Humourous yet serious

Simple and easy to understand

Point of view First person point of view

Symbolism Hyperbole

Alliteration

Imagery

Literary Devices in News Break

Assonance

Rhetoric questions

Metaphor Simile

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature

2   Sad I Ams by Trevor Millum Paraphrase of the Poem Stanza 1 • The persona feels unwanted and compares himself/herself to a ring from an empty drink can, leftovers from an unclean porridge pan and a loose arm from an old action figure toy. Stanza 2 • The persona feel useless like an envelope that cannot be used, a roll of cellophane tape that cannot be peeled off, an empty stapler without bullets, a clip that has no spring, correction fluid that has dried and an unsent letter. Stanza 3 • The persona feels tired and worn out like a battery that cannot charge, a starter motor that does not work, a bald tyre, a sparking plug with no life, a dirty carburettor and a tarnished chromium trim. Stanza 4 • The persona feels abandoned like an overgrown garden, a library book that no one chooses to read and an unheeded a piece of good advice.

Themes • • • • • • •

Things that have no value are disposable Losing direction with family and friends Feeling unloved or losing confidence The importance of maintaining and looking after the things we have Neglecting one’s possessions Negativism about life and how one is treated Seeking for attention

Values • We should be positive about our status in life. • We need to learn how to recognise and value our abilities and possessions. • We need to keep faith with the people around us and know that every person deserves to be loved equally. • We should have confidence in ourselves. • Material things are valuable but human relationships are even more important. • We should open up and express ourselves when we are feeling unhappy.

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature 

Structure, style and language

Tone and mood

Four stanzas

Sad and serious

No fixed rhyming scheme

Disappointed and despondent

Simple and easy to understand

Point of view First person point of view

Symbolism Personification

Alliteration

Assonance

Literary Devices in Sad I Ams

Simile

Pun

Metaphor

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature

SHORT STORY Fair’s Fair by Narinder Dhani Place • Children’s neighbourhood – playground • Children’s homes

Setting Time • Morning to afternoon

Sam

Raj

Lee

Characters

Lee’s mother

Raj’s father

Sam’s father

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature 

Plot

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature

Honesty Friendship

Resourcefulness in the face of problems

Themes in Fair’s Fair

Good neighbourliness Determination

Values • • • •

We must always be honest with friends and strangers. We must think of ways to solve problems. We should not let problems get in our way. We must be willing to help friends and strangers.

GRAPHIC NOVEL 1 The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

(Selangor, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, W.P. Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka)

Synopsis This is the story of a Swiss family, the Robinson family of six (parents and four children) who are shipwrecked on a deserted island en route to Australia to settle as missionaries. Their sailing ship is hit by a very bad storm. They manage to build a raft and escape from the ship to an island. The island becomes their home for ten years. They create a home on the island and survive with things they salvage from the ship and sources of food and materials they find on the island to live a comfortable, though at times dangerous, life. When a British ship comes to the rescue several years later, the children leave the island but the parents stay on in their island paradise, a place where they have been perfectly happy.

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature 

Setting

Place • A ship sailing en route to Australia • On a raft of planks and barrels on the open sea • A deserted island

Time • Early 19th century

Characters and character traits Character

Character traits

Mr Robinson • Father – narrator of story • Knowledgeable about surroundings – plants and animals • Loving husband and father

• Brave and willing to take risks • Self-reliant and creative • Caring and places safety of family top priority

Mrs Robinson • Mother – intelligent and resourceful • Versatile cook • Homemaker – keeps children’s safety and wellbeing top priority

• Supportive and uncomplaining • Willing to stay out of limelight but a strong force behind family • Able to adapt to changed circumstances

Fritz Robinson • Oldest boy – 15 years old • Intelligent but impetuous • Strongest and accompanies father on many adventures

• Observant and curious of their surroundings • Adventurous • Gallant – willing to help a damsel in distress

Ernest Robinson • Second oldest – 13 years old • Most intelligent but not so physically active

• Adventurous • Proud of his achievements

Jack Robinson • Third in the family – 11 years old • Quickest of the boys

• Childish • Bold

Franz Robinson • Youngest – 8 years old – usually stays by mother’s side

• Obedient • Playful but careful

Jenny Montrose • A British girl stranded on the other side of the island • Found by Fritz • Left island with Fritz and they married in London

• Brave • Strong survival instinct • Independent and confident

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature

Plot

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Survival Faith in God

Teamwork

Themes Family support and love

Perseverance

Thankfulness

Values • • • •

We must never give up in whatever we do. Family is very important. In order to live well, you must learn to cooperate with the people around you. One must always seek God’s help in times of trouble and thank God for the good things He has given us. • No matter what has happened to you in life, it is important to accept what life has given you and make the most of it. • Be creative. • Determination will help you succeed. Structure, style and language

Tone, mood and atmosphere

Simple and easy to understand

Upbeat

Descriptive and full of imagery

Friendly and encouraging

Point of View First person point of view – the story is told by Mr Robinson

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature

2 King Arthur retold by Janet Hardy-Gould

(Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak, W.P. Labuan)

Synopsis England has no king and there is a lot of civil strife. Merlin the magician dreams of a future king named Arthur. He sets up a magic stone with a sword in it. The spell cast on that stone ensures that only the true king can pull it out. Arthur eventually does it and is crowned King Arthur of England. Merlin helps Arthur to become a good, strong king who is well-liked by the people. King Arthur meets Guinevere and makes her his queen despite Merlin’s warnings. Merlin finds out that he is losing his magic and gives King Arthur a sword which will help him rule England well. King Arthur holds a jousting competition to find the best knights in England for the Round Table. Lancelot emerged as the winner. King Arthur gets to know Lancelot and they become great friends. Guinevere and Lancelot often ride together. Morgan and Mordred take advantage of the situation and tell King Arthur that Guinevere and Lancelot are in love. King Arthur believes them and drives Lancelot away. The king becomes sad and does not look after his country. He goes after Lancelot for a fight and loses his throne to Mordred. In the ensuing battle with Mordred, Arthur is fatally wounded and Lancelot kills Mordred. Arthur’s last words to Lancelot are to take his sword and throw it into the water. Merlin returns and takes Arthur away.

Setting

Place • Medieval England • Castle of Camelot • Lake where Merlin makes a magic stone and puts a sword in it • Parts of England where Arthur battles to unite England under his rule

Time • Year 650s

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature 

Characters and character traits Character

Character traits

King Arthur • Crowned King of England after he pulls out the sword from the magic stone • Fights many battles to unite England • Loved by his people because his reign brought peace and prosperity • Has a happy marriage with Guinevere • Does not listen to Merlin

• Courageous – battled to unite his kingdom • Loving – built Castle Camelot for his wife Guinevere • Intelligent and creative – creates the Knights of the Round Table • Jealous – drives Lancelot away and abandons his wife and kingdom

Merlin • A magician who paves the way for Arthur to become king • Advisor and teacher to King Arthur • Advises against Arthur’s marriage to Guinevere and battle with Mordred

• Visionary – sees Arthur as the new king of England • Helpful – gives Arthur a magic sword to guide him when his power was leaving him • Loyal – returns to take the dying King Arthur away

Lancelot • Defeats Gawain to become the strongest knight in England • First knight of the Round Table • Kills Mordred for his treachery

• Brave – challenges Gawain and defeats him • Reliable – loves Guinevere but does not betray King Arthur’s trust • Loyal – Returns to Camelot to fight Mordred with King Arthur

Mordred • Son of Morgan (King Arthur’s half-sister) • Killed by Lancelot for betraying King Arthur

• Divisive – creates bad feelings between King Arthur and Lancelot • Opportunistic- seizes the throne in King Arthur’s absence

Guinevere • Married King Arthur, becomes his Queen and has a happy marriage

• Supportive – gives Arthur the Round Table so he can select the best knights in the kingdom

Morgan • King Arthur’s half-sister • Can see into the future • Helps Mordred to usurp the throne

• Ambitious – wants her son Mordred to become king • Not trustworthy – wins Guinevere’s trust but later spreads lies about the Queen and Lancelot

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature

Plot

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature 

Themes

Strong and true leadership

The value of friendship

Treachery and betrayal

Chivalry and gallantry

Values • • • • • •

A leader should provide strong and proper leadership. We should look after the interest of our team members. A leader should give opportunities to his or her members to grow mentally and physically. We should value friendship that is true and sincere. Do not be taken in by people, including family members who are insincere. We must learn how to differentiate between true and false friendships. Structure, style and language

Tone, mood and atmosphere

Simple and easy to understand

Intimate and sombre

Descriptive and full of imagery

Heroic, but turns bleak in the end

Point of View Third person point of view

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature

3 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne

(Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis, Perak, Pulau Pinang)

Synopsis A mysterious submarine called the Nautilus journeys underwater around the world under the navigation of Captain Nemo. Professor Pierre Aronnax, Ned Land and Conseil, who have been thrown overboard from the American warship the Abraham Lincoln, are aboard the Nautilus as captives of Captain Nemo. They are safe as long as they do not attempt to make an escape. Professor Aronnax is thrilled by the library within the ship. There are incredible facilities that enable the Nautilus to make its incredible journey. He is happy to be able to observe the real wonders of sea life from the submarine. They experience many exciting adventures like hunting underwater at night and during the day; landing on an island with angry natives, fishing for giant pearls, seeing the lost city of Atlantis and the South Pole. The Nautilus runs into trouble a few times but Captain Nemo is able to overcome them. Finally, Professor Aronnax, Ned and Conseil manage to escape from the Nautilus and Captain Nemo.

Setting

Place • Professor Aronnax’s library at home • Open sea off the coast of Australia • On board the American warship, the Abraham Lincoln • On board the submarine, the Nautilus • In the open seas and oceans of the world • The South Pole • A fisherman’s cottage

Time • The 1860s (1867 – 1868)

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature 

Characters and character traits Character

Character traits

Professor Pierre Aronnax • Assistant Professor in Museum of Natural History in Paris • Deep interest in secrets of the sea • Captive on board Nautilus – wrote journal on board of Nautilus

• Determined – to learn about the secrets of the sea • Curious – interested to know the workings of Nautilus and personality of Nemo • Non-judgmental – forms opinions about people and surroundings after observing them • Fair and appreciative – credits Captain Nemo for his technical achievements

Captain Nemo • Captain of the ship Nautilus • A scientific genius – built the Nautilus • An enigma – cruel yet kind • Difficult to get close to

• Self-confident and takes pride in his work • Enjoys showing off his scientific discoveries • Cruel yet kind and passionate about loss of his crew – has a soft side • Courageous – goes after what he wants with determination • Quick tempered – strong self-control

Ned Land • A Canadian – 40 years old – tall • Quick with hand – nicknamed ‘prince of harpooners’ • Captive on board Nautilus

• Cool and confident of his skill as a harpooner • Bold and willing to risk his life to save Professor Aronnax and Captain Nemo • Alert – points out possibilities to escape from the Nautilus

Conseil • Professor’s Aronnax’s manservant • Captive on board Nautilus

• Loyal to Professor Aronnax • Brave and courageous – jumps into sea to save Professor Aronnax

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  English  Focus PT3 Exploring Literature

Plot

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Themes

The complexity of human personality

Freedom / Liberty

Revenge

Values • • • • • • • •

We should be kind and generous. We should be loyal. We should be ambitious. We should have determination. We should have compassion and sympathy. We need to be patient. We can be adventurous. We should cooperate.

Language and style

Tone, mood and atmosphere

Simple and easy to understand

Solemn

Descriptive and full of imagery

Suspenseful

Point of View First person point of view – the story is told by Professor Pierre Aronnax

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