JUNO OF TARIS

In this unit you will focus on these learning outcomes:

Understanding the aspects of a novel Developing strategies for collecting information about the novel to

use for assessments Developing literature essay writing skills

The formal assessments include:

An in-class literature essay Creative writing Common Assessment Creating a Visual Text Common Assessment

Blurbs

'Don't give up. Don't let them kill your spirit. Things will change. You need to be strong. You need to be ready. And you will need courage.' Juno is young; she has no authority, no power, and to question the ways of Taris is discouraged. She knows what it's like when the community withdraws from her - turning their backs and not speaking to her until she complies. The Taris Project was the brainchild of a desperate twenty-first-century world, a community designed to survive even if the rest of humanity perished. An isolated, storm-buffeted island in the Southern Ocean was given a protective dome and its own balmy climate. And now Juno is one of 500 people who live there - but what has happened to the outside world in the years since Taris was established? The island has not been in contact with Outside since the early years of its existence. Juno yearns to know about life Outside, just as she yearns to be allowed to grow her hair. It is a rule on Taris that all must have their heads shaved bare. But is it a rule that could be broken? Danger awaits any who suggest it.

Juno of Taris is the compelling new novel from Fleur Beale. It explores the struggle of Juno, a young teen on the verge of adulthood, who is torn between her need to fit in and belong in her society, and her growing discomfort and questioning of that society's rules.

Your ordinary teen? Not quite! Because Juno lives - in the not-too-distant future - on Taris, a bubble-covered island in the Pacific, to which a select few hundred people were evacuated when Earth's inhabitants took everything just a bit too far and began to self-destruct. On Taris there are many rules governing appearance, behaviour, even procreation ! but all are for the good of the community, to ensure the survival of humankind. Or are they? As Taris' protected environment begins to break down and Juno's questioning nature takes hold, she uncovers some startling inconsistencies in many of the 'factual' histories she has grown up with. She also begins to develop some quite startling, almost supernatural, abilities. As Juno faces increasing danger, she finds allies in the most surprising places.

ABOUT THE AUTHORINTRODUCTION

Before you read any text that you are using for a literature study, it is useful to find out about the author and what other texts they have written. It can help in understanding their purposes and target audience in writing the text you are about to read.

For many years Fleur Beale was a busy high school teacher, wife and mother who wrote in her spare time. 'A lot of the students I taught were often not readers, especially the boys. When I write, I have these kids in my head. I believe it is terribly important to get kids to read because in reading they might pick up ideas and attitudes that they are unlikely to be exposed to by what they choose to watch on DVD.'

Fleur says, 'I like the unusual. My characters learn and grow. I'm really into hope, happiness and the positives in life — but they do have to struggle a bit to get there.

COLLECTING INFORMATIONIn this lesson you will learn strategies to record information that you gather as you read the novel.

Although you are reading this novel as a learning activity and to make you think about issues, you should remain aware of the need to collect the information that you will need for your English assessments.

Comprehension questions

The following chapter questions are also to help you to gather information and to help you think about ideas in the text.

Use a separate page for each section. At the end, add any questions or thoughts that you have.

Chapter 1 – Another Bright Idea

1. Why do people shave their heads on Taris?2. What is withdrawing and why do you think it is used on Taris?3. How is the island protected from the outside world?4. What idea did Silvern plant in Juno’s mind?5. Describe the island – is it large or small? Draw a map and include as many details about

the island as possible.6. Did Juno feel as though she belonged on the island? Why?

Chapter 2 Discovered

1. Who discovered Juno as she came down from the path through the mango orchard? What are his feelings about her? How can you tell?

2. What excuse did Juno give?3. What did everyone do in the afternoons?4. What was Marba interested in and what did he ask the learning stratum to consider?5. What reason does Silvern give to Marba’s question? What answer did Shallym give?6. We learn about Juno through what other characters say. Complete the following table

Character What they say about JunoFortunYinPelBrexBiddo

7. What experiment does Marba want the stratum to perform?

Chapter 3 The Meeting

1. What quote does Juno have to recite to her father? How does she fell about the quote?2. What did Juno hear as she read Hilto’s thoughts at the meeting?3. Why did Juno want Hilto or Majool to die?4. What happens when someone dies on Taris?

5. What is the history that Juno’s father starts to tell?6. What three things does Juno say she hates?

Chapter 4 Baby News

1. How is information passed around on Taris?2. What does Grif say that reinforces Juno’s feeling about why her parents are selected for

another child?3. What gossip (news) had Bazin (Juno’s father’s father) learned during the day?4. What must Juno watch when she is dancing until the baby question was settled? What else

did you learn about Juno’s efforts to conform?5. What is the only script that everyone uses on Taris and what does Danyat think of Grif

teaching Juno this skill?6. Where will Juno’s parents get the genetic material for their baby from?7. What responsibility is Vima feeling?

Chapter 5 Written Words and Chapter 6 The Choosing

1. Who were Juno’s biological parents? How long ago were Juno’s biological parents supposed to have been living?

2. Who did Juno think was a good biological mother and father for her baby sister?3. What happened at the Gene Centre when the earthquake struck?4. What words of comfort does Juno’s father give her about the island?

Chapter 7 Race Day

1. Why does Juno continue to get her head shaved without complaint?2. Why was Juno angry with the Governance Companions?3. Who were the first three winners in the swimming race?4. Who did Hilto expect to lose the race and what did he have in mind for this loser?5. Biddo lost and was presented with a bouquet of white roses. What did these represent to

the people of Taris?

Chapter 8 Birthdays

1. What did Juno really want to do on her birthday?2. Grif encourages Juno to lift her spirits. What does she say?3. How is Juno left feeling after Danyat agrees with Grif?4. What story does Grif write down on leaves for Juno?5. How did Juno fight back against Silvern?

Chapter 9 A Wedding

1. What is it that Juno is allowed to do at the age of 11 and 12 that N.Z children would not be allowed to do?

2. Whose eyes did Juno feel on her as she danced at the wedding? What was that person looking for?

3. What two pieces of advice did Grif and Danyat give Juno?

4. What kind of people get to have their own biological children on Taris?5. What does the gossip or ‘news’ hint at, at the end of this chapter?

Chapter 10 Dangerous Talk

1. What caused Juno to cry on the way to school?2. What does the metaphor ‘died a little more inside’ mean?3. Why will Juno not take on the dancing apprenticeship?4. How did Creen regard the dancing and music? Did she see a need for change?5. How many people were known about in Taris’s history and what was Creen’s reasoning for

this?6. What about ‘the Crisis’ does Juno point out? What other kinds of history questions did Juno

think of?

Chapter 11 Waiting

Vima asks about the history of Taris with Creen.

1. How does he reply to her question, ‘how do we know it is unimportant if we don’t know what it is?’ What reason does Creen give for not needing to know the history?

2. Juno tricks Creen into going to check her mother’s progress. What does Vima show Juno?3. What secret does Juno tell Vima? 4. What do they find out about Juno’s name? How are names used on Taris?5. How does Vima break the moral code of Taris?

Chapter 12 My Sister

1. Where had Juno got Hera’s name from (last chapter) and whose child does Juno think she is?

2. What is different about the transponder that Vima found and carries with her?3. They find the word ‘dictatorship’ in the transponder’s encyclopaedia. What historical person

do they find out about?4. Vima compares the Governance of Taris to that of who?

Chapter 13 Birthdays and Hormones and Chapter 14 Pushing Boundaries

1. What kind of Tarians would Vima like to breed?2. How do the people on Taris cope with their constant danger? How does Juno think they

cope?3. What boundary was Vima going to push?4. What comfort does Juno get from Vima’s friendship?5. Where was Vima working and where has Hilto got her working now?6. What did Vima announce at the meeting and who joined her in the announcement?7. What were the reasons why they shaved their hair on Taris according to Juno’s parents?8. What did Vima’s parents refuse to do?

Chapter 15 Action and Reaction

1. What subject was banned from discussion at school and what words were brought to Juno’s mind as a result?

2. What was the surprise advice that Danyat gave? Why?3. What did Silvern’s parents think would happen if people started growing their hari?4. What had Juno’s Aunt Oran asked the Governance Companions? What was supposed to

have happened to her after this?5. What thoughts clacked around in Juno’s brain and how did she say the people of Taris

actually lived?

Chapter 16 Gathering Courage

1. What reason did Paz give that they ahad all been made to shave their hair?2. What conclusion did the students make about the no hair rule?3. Why did Vima walk back from their swim with her head high?4. What did Vima discover about Nixie on the computer as she worked?5. What impact did this knowledge have on their understanding of Taris’s history?

Chapter 17 Our Hair

1. Who accompanied Nixie to enforce the head shaving?2. Although it was Silvern who made the announcement, who did Hilto attack?3. Juno’s father could not bring himself to believe what Sheen felt about Hiltoand Majool. Why

was this? What did he accuse Sheen of doing?4. Juno almost changed her mind about conforming in order to save her family. What thought

stopped her?5. What did Grif tell Juno about courage?6. What does Sheen realise about the history of Taris?

Chapter 18 Fallout

1. What does Zanin accuse Juno of doing?2. What did the community do to Juno as she walked to work?3. Why were the community ‘really’ forbidden to go out at night?4. What happens if someone calls a meeting where the truth of the island will ne told?5. What part of the truth do you think Leebar and Bazin had told Zanin so that he was sitting

with Sheen at the emergency meeting?

Chapter 19 Emergency meeting

1. What did Juno’s grandparents do at the emergency meeting and what did Hilot threaten them with?

2. What did Fisa step forward and urge the crowd to do? What did she say ‘changing one thing’ would lead to?

3. What lie did Hilto try to continue?4. What was the ‘wicked pact’ that Juno objected to?5. What had happened to the people on the island 32 years before?6. What did Nixie break and what did he say would come with growing hari back?

Chapter 20 History

1. What changed at the school after this?2. What did The Gnome tell them about guarding their ‘stuff’ and what did her refer to their

bald heads as?3. What stopped the Crisis?4. What did Fisa sacrifice?5. What news was finally acceptable?

Chapter 21 Marriage questions

1. How was Fisa guilty of murder>2. What starts to malfunction again? What was Grif’s reaction to this?3. What had stopped happening as a result of the atmospheric crisis and its solution by the

Governance Committee?4. What was the theory of who could become biological parents?

Chapter 22 Hera’s Escapade

1. What did Juno discover when she went looking for Hera? What did she discover about her?2. What had Vima found at the end of the tunnel and track?

Chapter 23 A Message

1. Who does Juno have to see after school and how do they disguise their stratum meeting?2. What had Irian told Heskith about Juno’s abilities and what to do?3. How did Marba get his message across to Juno when she was confronted by Hilto?4. What made Hilto storm off?5. Why did Irian want to die?6. What story did Majool spread and what did he ask Irian to be?7. Majool told the stratum they were not allowed to use their recreation hours to picnic

together. What did he say their afternoon work would be? What did Juno and Vima understand he was trying to stop?

Chapter 24 Hidden History

1. According to Bazin, when was Taris settled?2. What year is it really in Taris? What year did the official history say it was?3. What is Grif’s real name?4. Why did they have different names from their ‘outside’ names?5. What was the decision that had to be made?6. What was the one discipline that continued to have merit or be useful?

Chapter 25 Dark of the Night

1. Who does Juno find to help her look for Vima and what did they find had happened to her?2. What had the Governance Companions used that building for before they smashed all the

equipment?3. Where did Juno say they should take Vima and why?

Chapter 26 A Reckoning

1. What lie did Majool tell the assembly of people at the arena about Vima?2. What did Hera know about Vima?3. What did Majool and Lenna say about Vima and what should happen to her? What was the

next angle that Lenna took about Vima’s cuts?4. What angle did Majool try to take to make the audience forget about what they had just

been told?5. What did Silvern say was at the top of the mountain?6. Who save Juno’s life when Hilto attacked?

Chapter 27 Keeping Going

1. What was the news that made Juno gape?2. What kind of love had not served Taris well?3. What was the question that the younger generation asked?4. What truth about Hera’s parents did Juno finally have to tell so that they would believed that

she was definitely not Majool’s?5. Had the community ever heard of hymns and did they know what god was?

Chapter 28 I Vow to Thee my Country

1. How could they tell that Taris was failing?2. What did they introduce to their meetings?3. What list had Vima found on the Governance computers?4. How long does Taris have to survive and how does Hera reassure them?5. Juno says it’s the last days of Taris. What else could happen?6. What would you be thinking as you climbed on board the ship?

(Source: http://vanrossenenglish.wikispaces.com)

CHAPTER 1 – THE EXPOSITIONIn this lesson you will learn about the importance of the first chapter of a novel to the narrative structure.

The first chapter of any novel is important. It is the ‘hook’ that draws the reader in and it sets up the story. It is similar to the opening sequence of a movie where you learn the information that you need to understand:

the narrator the main character(s)

the setting the atmosphere

.

By the end of the chapter, you are likely to know what has happened that means that the characters have to react to and ‘change’.

The first chapter Juno of Taris reveals much about the characters and the setting of Taris.

Straight away we know that an important event is coming up for the main character – the ritual shaving of heads. It is a significant event that represents a key conflict for the main character.

We find out who the narrator is - Juno. This novel is written from her point of view – it is her growing up or coming of age that is being described.

This technique is called first person narration.

So what information are we given that might help us to understand what this novel is about? What are some of your first thoughts about the situation that Juno is in?

Where page numbers are given, they may not be exact if you have a different edition of the book. Look at earlier and later pages to find the exact text

1. Read the list of names on pages 8 and 9 . What do they tell you about the kind of novel this is?

2. Read pages 11 and 12. What do the first pages tell you about Juno and the society she lives in? Where is the story set?

3. Why would people want to look the same? Do you like to be the same as others?

NARRATIVE STRUCTUREIn this lesson you will learn about the narrative conventions of a novel and begin to create a map of the structure of ‘Juno of Taris.

INTRODUCTION

As readers, we need to see how things fit together – it has to be in a structure that we can feel comfortable with and familiar with. If there is not enough information (and, therefore, too many questions needing answers), we may become confused and stop reading.

An author will also structure their text to meet their purpose. By closely examining the events in a text, this purpose often becomes clearer – it is easier to see any themes.

TENSION DIAGRAM

A tension diagram is a graph which shows an outline of key events in a text (it can be a film or novel). The key events are the ones where there is some tension; it might be that a character must make an important decision or takes significant action.

Below is a simple example for Tomorrow When the War Began and definitions for key events.

Definitions

Exposition - in most novels, this happens at the very beginning. We get to know some of the characters and settings. We learn about what ‘normal’ life is for the characters.

Catalyst – the event or situation that forces the main characters to change their thinking or their lives.

Development - where things happen, making the novel more interesting or tense. It is the dramatic events – what happens, what characters do and say and think, what changes, the rising tension. It is the reaction to the ‘catalyst’ as they find ways of coping with a new situation.

Anticlimax - there may be several of these as the novel moves to the climax. These are the points where major action takes place but there is no resolution – there is still tension there.

Climax - where the major event of the novel happens, and characters must deal with the situation. It can be where there is a major decision to change; it could be a ‘do or die’ decision.

Resolution - the period of calm after the climax. In most texts this involves tying up loose ends and life attempting to return to normal but it is now a ‘new normal’.

Drawing a Tension Diagram for Juno of Taris

1. Tape 2 pieces of refill together – landscape (short sides together)2. Rule up a graph – the x axis should be ½ way up the page to leave room for the events3. In the bottom boxes, write in the chapter headings (there will be 28) and 4. Label the exposition, catalyst, anticlimax, climax and resolution and rule the tension lines – do this

in pencil at first - the class can compare and discuss their findings before using pen.

It should look a bit like this:

High tension

Medium tension

Low tension

How is the plot structured to encourage us to keep reading?

In Juno of Taris by Fleur Beale, at the end of each chapter, there is an italicized section

Complete a table similar to the following with what is at the end of each chapter and how it leads you into the next one.

What is written at the end of the chapter What questions are raised/how it leads into the next chapter

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

… to Chapter 28

Conclusion

Therefore, Beale raises questions that make the reader want to keep reading to find the answer at the end of each chapter. This makes the plot interesting and encourages us to keep reading and find out what will happen next.

WHO’S WHO IN ‘JUNO OF TARIS’As you read the novel, you should have got some impressions about the main characters. You will probably have decided which characters you would get on with and which you would not.

Remember we learn about characters through characterisation. This is the way the author shows us the characters, through:

dialogue - what the character says and thinks action – what the character does narration – what happens to the character; what others say about and do with the character. appearance - what they look like.

Main Characters:

these are the characters we learn most about and they are in most of the action. Juno is clearly the main character as the narrator of the story. What other characters are key ‘actors ‘ in the story?

What important relationships do these characters have? What important things happen to them? What decisions do they make, and what are the outcomes of these decisions? What do they teach us as readers, or help us to understand?

REMEMBER: learn the correct names and how to spell them!

Minor Characters: these are characters who help us to understand the main characters and ones that we don’t see often in the novel. The purpose of these characters is to help us learn more about the main character or to represent a group in society.

Activity:

1. Read the following list of characters and highlight the main characters – Juno is the narrator and the main character but there are other characters who we see often in the novel and who we learn

2. For each of the main characters and at least two minor characters, complete a character map as shown on the next page

3. Complete the Quote, Character, sections of the table on the following page. (You will complete the theme column later).

Juno’s FamilyJUNO’S GRANDPARENTS

Grif Danyat Leebar Bazin

JUNO’S PARENTS

Sheen Zanin

Juno Hera

JUNO’S LEARNING STRATUM

Justa -teacherBrexDreedaPelShallym

SilvernWendaJunoBiddoFortunJidda

MarbaPazRyndYin

VIMA’S LEARNING STRATUMVimaCreen

PrinOban

WellinKalta

GOVERNANCE COMPANIONSFisa (leader)Lenna

HiltoMajool

Camnoon

OLDER GENERATIONWoonIrian

HeskithNixie

YOUNG MARRIED COUPLESSinaRoopLerick

Jov (computer scientist)ErseMersat

SCIENCE PROFESSIONALSTrebe (physician)Aspa (computer scientist)

Lif - electrical engineer

Type a one word description and a quote or other evidence here

Type a one word description and a quote or other evidence here

Type a one word description and a quote or other evidence here

Type a one word description and a quote or other evidence here

Type a one word description and a quote or other evidence here

Type a one word description and a quote or other evidence here

Juno At the end of the Novel

Juno Early in the Novel

Juno’s Character Map

Who says the following quotes?

Quote Character Theme

1. Who was I now? Who I used to be was disappearing and there were only bits of me left that sometimes I caught sight of in puddles or dark windows.

2. Who was I? I wasn’t sure I knew any more.

3. I stopped abruptly and turned around. I’m going to stay with her. She shouldn’t be by herself.

4. I can make no pledge. I can no longer stay in the Fellowship.

5. The women of our faith never cut their hair. They wear it long and in a single braid. That way it does not tempt the eyes of their men to stray.

6. Go to your room and braid your hair in a godly manner.

7. My father says it will be easier to keep the rule if the children are not exposed to evil influences as they are growing up.

8. Why would you not want to be married? It is what all girls of our faith want.

9. I looked into a future where there would be nobody who thought the same way I did.

10. She keeps the faith and lives by the rule. She will make an excellent wife.

11. It made me angry and because of that I grabbed hold of enough courage to go back in.

12. I shoved hard at the swing. They weren’t going to change me.

13. I was me. Not some robot they programmed.

14. I hacked at the plait, sawing the knife backwards and forwards across my hair.

15. I had prayed. Me, who didn’t believe in God.

16. We ate our lunch and people walked past and stared at us.

17. Her husband sat on his chuff and let that poor girl run after him.

18. I’d never seen such a grey man. His hair was grey, his clothes were grey, his shoes were grey. I couldn’t see his eyes – they were lost under a frown and wrinkles.

19. Your mother has repented and is making atonement for her years of sin.

20. I ask to be able to be given permission to study at university... I ask the community to give me permission to become a doctor so that I may serve you all.

21. You have no idea how free I feel! I thought I would be frightened without the

Rule but it is wonderful.

SETTINGSetting is the time and place. It can be the decade, the season, the time of day, the weather. It can be the country, the city, the house, the room. It can be a society or time in history.

The setting in Juno of Taris is a unique, carefully structured community on a sealed island.

THEMESIn this lesson you will recognise some of the themes that the author, Fleur Beale, communicates in this novel.

A theme is a message/lesson/main idea that a reader understands about what they read. It can be different for different readers.

Choose one of the following (or one of your own) to write about.

Main themes/ideas:

Survival What does the novel tell us about surviving major, life-changing events and difficult times?

Identity What does the novel tell us about being yourself?

Courage Who shows courage in the novel? When? Why?

Family What does it mean to be part of a family for different characters in this book? How are the different families different? Is there a perfect family?

Explain the main idea Identify 3 events/character actions that show this theme (table line 2) Explain how each one shows the theme (table line 3)

Here is an example: Family

In the novel we are shown two types of family. Kirby’s family life with her mother at the beginning seems to be ideal. She is happy and has the freedom to live her life as she chooses. The family life at ‘Children of the Faith’ is much stricter and Kirby is unhappy at the rules and restrictions that are placed on her and others. At the end, however, when she has the chance to return to live with her mother, she realises that it was not as ideal as she thought. She liked being looked after and not having to worry that the bills were paid and that there would be food on the table.

Kirby had the freedom to choose Kirby ran the household – paid the bills, looked after her mother who struggled to do this.

Kirby is called in to see the psychologist at the hospital before her mum is discharged. She tries to pretend that everything is OK and that she is ready to take her mum home and look after her, when actually she is extremely angry at her (Ellen) for abandoning her (Kirby). Kirby breaks down and screams that she hates her mum.

We see this as being an ideal situation because Kirby is happy. We all would like to have a happy family life.

Kirby had to be the mother in the family and this meant taking adult responsibilities. She had less freedom than most teenagers because of this.

While Kirby did not want to live under the strict rules of the ‘Children of the Faith’, she didn’t want to lose the feeling of being looked after and cared for. She wanted to be a teenager and not the parent of the family.

DEALING WITH CONFLICTPart of learning to survive difficult times in life, is to develop strategies to resolve and understand conflicts. Sometimes conflict is between two or more people (external) and sometimes it can be within a person who is struggling to make a decision (internal)/

Identify at least two more conflicts in the novel and complete a table (on refill) like the following one.

Conflict between....

Internal or external conflict?

What happens How is it resolved This incident is related to the theme.....

Because.....

Kirby

and

Ellen

Both because Kirby is in conflict with her mum, but also with herself over being able to face up to her feelings

Kirby is called in to see the psychologist at the hospital before her mum is discharged. She tries to pretend that everything is OK and that she is ready to take her mum home and look after her, when actually she is extremely angry at her (Ellen) for abandoning her (Kirby). Kirby breaks down and screams that she hates her mum.

The psychologist and Ellen persuade Kirby to admit her feelings, and it is decided that Kirby will go on living with her aunt and uncle for a while before moving back in with her mother.

Identity

Family relationships

Religion

Kirby is caught between her desire to be her mother’s caregiver, and to be looked after like a child herself.

Kirby and her mother have a complex relationship that greatly affected by Ellen’s past, but in the end their love for each other overcomes the difficulties.

The effects of the Children of the Faith in Ellen’s childhood have very long lasting effects in this situation.