The Lighthouse

by Agnes Owens

Learning Intentions

We are going to study the short story ‘The Lighthouse’ by Agnes Owens.

In this unit of study you will learn how to:1. Analyse and evaluate a short story.2. Annotate a short story.3. Write a successful critical essay on a short story.4. Use quotations effectively in critical essay writing.

Title: Predictions

• What do we typically associate with lighthouses?• What do they symbolise?• What expectations do we have about the story

based on its title?

Task: Create a mind map answering these questions in your jotter.

Lighthouses Symbolism

• Highest point of land that is closest to the sea.• Alerts ships that land is near (rocks, reefs,

shallow waters)• Guidance and safety• Danger• Vigilance (keeping a look out)Make sure you have all these written down.

Opening of the Story

‘Let’s go somewhere else,’ said Megan to her brother Bobby playing on the beach with his pail and spade. ‘Let’s go to the lighthouse.’

‘I don’t want to,’ he said, without looking up. At three and a half years he had the face of an angel, but his appearance belied a strong determination to have everything his own way. So thought Megan, aged ten.

‘You can stay if you like,’ she said, ‘but I’m going and I just hope a monster doesn’t get you.’

‘Monster’

1. On your post-it note quickly sketch an image that you think represents a monster.

2. Stick it on the wall when you are done.

3. Examine your monsters. What do you notice about them? What characteristics do they share? Create a list in your jotter.

‘Monster’

Think about it: What makes a monster?This term is very important. Keep it in mind as we read the short story.

Opening Questions

1. Which characters are introduced at the beginning of the story and what do we learn about each one?

2. What is the relationship between the characters?3. What is the setting of the story?4. Based on the information provided in the introduction – and

the title ‘The Lighthouse’ – what do you think the plot of the story will be?

Write answers in jotters.

The Actual Story: What Happens?

• We’ll read the story once through as a class. 1. Summarise: Create a short summary for the plot

of the story. Lets see who can create the most succinct summary.

2. Sequencing: In groups of 2/3 you will be given the events of the story. Put them in the correct order as quickly as possible. Glue down on the sheets of paper.

Understanding: Vocabulary

1. Read the story again to yourself. As you read, underline any words that you may not know or are not sure about.

2. Make sure that you can define the following words along with any others you have underlined. Work in pairs and use a dictionary if needed. Be ready to share your definitions with the class. – Belied– Brooding – Exasperated– Tantrums– Tottered– Sullenly– Turreted – Riveted– Mooring buoy– Hovering

Understanding: Vocabulary

1. Read the story again to yourself. As you read, underline any words that you may not know or are not sure about.

2. Make sure that you can define the following words along with any others you have underlined. Work in pairs and use a dictionary if needed. Be ready to share your definitions with the class. – Belied– Brooding – Exasperated– Tantrums– Tottered– Sullenly– Turreted – Riveted– Mooring buoy– Hovering

fail to give a true impression of (something).engaged in or showing deep thought about something that makes one sad.irritate intensely; infuriate.an uncontrolled outburst of anger and frustrationmove in a feeble or unsteady way.bad-tempered and sulky.small tower on top of a larger tower or at the corner of a building or wall

Fascinateda buoy to which ships or boats can be mooredlinger close at hand in an uncertain manner

Foreshadowing

In the story Agnes Owens uses a technique called foreshadowing.

A warning or indication of a future event. • The first time we read the story we don’t notice the importance of the clues

even though they increase the tension and make us feel that something bad will happen. The ending is still a shock to us.

• However, once we know the ending and read the story for a second time we realise that the writer left clues throughout the story that foreshadow the events at the end.

Can you think of examples of foreshadowing in TV shows and films you’ve watched recently?

Foreshadowing in Film

• Before Bambi’s mother is shot by a hunter, she gives Bambi a stern lecture on the dangers of man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAn7I0k0KyY&list=PLSbhjVbi7iZim2PE80B_wOagFYXOrKJrC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2UQv2JUZoU

Can you think of why this is an example of foreshadowing?

Foreshadowing Exercise

1. The first example of foreshadowing is in the introduction of the story. Can you identify it?

2. Highlight the relevant piece of text and label it.

3. Now write a comment next to your highlighted section explaining why this is an example of foreshadowing?

Remember, foreshadowing is when the writer gives you a clue about something that is going to happen later the in the story. Therefore, the clue will mirror the later event.

Foreshadowing: Example

– “I just hope a monster doesn’t get you”

This foreshadows Bobby being abducted by theman from the golf course. In the quotationMegan is referring to a pretend monster and isusing it to scare and manipulate Bobby. However, the monster that does get Bobby is a real danger who also forces Bobby to do things he doesn’t want to.

TASKNow look through the rest of the story and look for other examples of foreshadowing – clues that hint at the ending of the story.

Megan has scared Bobby again by saying their parents are likely to be locked up for leaving them on the beach. She is scared the woman will hear so she muffles his howl.

“At that he let out a howl so loud she was forced to put her hand over his mouth.”

This foreshadows Megan’s murder:

“When her eyes flickered, he put his hand over her mouth and nose for a considerable time”.

The word “flickered” shows that she is still alive at this point. The man then kills her. This time a hand is put over a mouth to kill, rather than to prevent trouble. The reader knows he is killing her intentionally because he holds his hand there for a “considerable” time. This means it was a deliberate act as he took his time.

Foreshadowing: Another Example

Characterisation

1. Write down five adjectives you would use to describe both Megan or Bobby. Start a separate list for each.

2. Find and record quotations from the text to back up what you are saying. Write these next to your adjective.

Eg: Bobby• Stubborn – refuses to go to the lighthouse ‘I don’t want to’

Megan Bobby

Manipulative – She lies and deceives Bobby into going to the lighthouse by saying there is an ice cream van.

Gullible – he believes the gorillas in the book are monsters, as Megan told him.

Selfish – she doesn’t care what Bobby thinks as long as she gets her own way.‘I’m going and I just hope a monster doesn’t get you’

Stubborn – refuses to go to the lighthouse ‘I don’t want to go to the lighthouse’

Adventurous – ‘let’s go to the lighthouse’ Annoying – he was butting Megan’s stomach with his head

Aggressive – ‘If you don’t start moving I’ll slap your face’

Playful – loves playing in the sand with his spade and bucket

Suspicious – ‘She began to wonder if he might be one of those strangers’

An attractive child – ‘had the face of an angel’

Body Maps

1. You have 4 minutes to draw the characters of Megan and Bobby. • Use a new page for each. Have your character take up the

majority of the page, but leave room for your writing.• Fill in the body maps using evidence from the text and quotes

where possible…..

Add to your drawing

• Head – what are they thinking about?• Shoulders – what do they worry about?• Hands – what do they do? (Job, roles, hobbies, etc)• Stomach – what do they hunger for (want)?• Eyes – what do they see?• Ears – what do they hear?• Heart – what do they feel?• Feet – where do they go? (which direction do they take/where do

their choices take them?)

Megan

Record answers in jotters:1. Why do you think Megan is such an angry

character?2. Do you feel sympathy for the character of

Megan?3. Why are you sympathetic? Give a list of reasons

for your answer.

Sympathy for Megan

• She gets attacked by her little brother.• She feels the pressure of having to look after

Bobby.• She is suspicious of other adults.• Megan eventually worries about her brother,

showing her caring side.• Her mean and caring actions are

representative of a normal sibling relationship.

Bobby

1. What does Bobby’s reaction to Megan’s murder reveal about his character?

2. What do you think happened to Bobby?

Other Characters

The Stranger1. Why do you think the stranger’s name is never revealed to you?His name is never revealed as this is representative of an uncaring society and shows that the dangers that are posed to children are often hidden and unexpected.

The Woman1. Why did the woman not stop to

make sure Megan and Bobby were ok?

2. What does this reveal about wider society?

The woman’s failure to protect Megan and Bobby is symbolic of society’s failure to protect the innocence of children. The author shows that innocence is a fragile state, which can be taken away in a cruel manner.

Setting

1. In pairs, go through the story and underline any instances where the setting is described or plays a key role.

2. Discuss: Why is the setting so important in the story?

• The setting stimulates the disagreement between Megan and Bobby.

• The golf course was stumbled on, as was the stranger (the setting mirrors this aspect of the plot – just as they stumble across the golf course, so too do they stumble across the man.)

‘Pathetic fallacy’• A technique used in media and writing where the writer

uses the weather or nature – including seasons- to suggest and reinforce human emotion.

• Can you think of examples?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9JTfU7YtGQ• How was pathetic fallacy used in this movie clip?• Can you think of other examples from movies?1. How is pathetic fallacy used in the short story? Write

examples in your jotter (3 or 4). Underline and label on your copy of the text.

Pathetic Fallacy in the Story

Pathetic fallacy – When the setting mirrors the mood of the characters. Mood changes as the setting does. It starts sunny and the atmosphere is light. Deserted beach creates a sense of worry as no one is around to help.The setting eventually consumes Megan and is as apathetic towards her death as society appears to be. Uncaring setting (that does not change because of a dead girl) mirrors the uncaring society that Megan and Bobby inhabit.

Theme

•What are the themes of the short story?

• Neglect• -How are Bobby and Megan

neglected throughout the short story?

• Lack of caring society-Why do you think the author never

reveals the name of the parents, woman or the stranger?

Theme continued

• Loss of childhood innocence.

-Give examples of ways in which both Megan and Bobby’s innocence is taken away from them.

• Human cruelty/Violence: how is this shown in the story?

• Megan’s emotional cruelty and neglect of Bobby.

• Bobby’s physical violence/anger towards Megan.

• Parents’ verbal abuse towards children.

• Society’s neglect of vulnerable people.

• Violence and murder committed by The Stranger.