Extensive Like a House on Fire Q and A PDF

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Like a House on fire questions, very helpful for creative task...

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Yr. 12 English

Guided Reading Questions

Your responses to the following questions will form the basis of class discussions.

Flexion 1.

Highlight the five sentences that you believe are the most important in this story. Justify each of your choices.

Page one sentence: This sentence demonstrates the severity of the accident and how Frank might as well be dead due to the injuries. Page Three Sentence: This illustrates the personality of Frank and how he is an ill tempered man with a quiet wife Page 6 Sentence: This sentence shows how easy the wife is able to accept the fact that her husband might die and how she refers to him as already gone in her mind so readily Page 10 Sentence: This sentence shows how Frank doesn’t believe in people doing actions out of the kindness of their own hearts and always thinks they are after something showing his pessimistic attitude Page 15 Sentence: This sentence shows how for a moment during the accident Frank recognised the wrongs in his relationship towards his wife and felt as if he could gift her his death 2.

Reread the paragraph starting with ‘Limited mobility is actually going to suit Frank…’ (p. 9). Consider how Kennedy gives Frank’s mobility a double meaning in this paragraph.

This paragraph has a double meaning as it shows that the wife feels as if she is constantly dismissed by her husband and that he barely pays attention to her anyway, so his limited mobility wont change much at all. 3.

How does Kennedy describe the farm? Can you find some words or phrases that remind you of the Slovak’s marriage?

Page 11 “back step that had been broken for almost 11 years” reminds me of their relationship that has fallen apart for many years “neatly slashed paddocks” “stacked bales” 4.

Make a list of the similes in the story.

“like the eye of a storm” “like a heat mirage” “like flowers at a funeral” “like a black deadweight” “like drowning” “like a grassfire” “like gasoline” “as scared and fragile as an old man” “like a woodenly acted entreaty” 5.

How does Kennedy create a lack of sympathy for Frank?

Kennedy creates a persona around frank that demonstrats ungratefulness toward those who have done good to help him and his wife. His attitude towards his wife and bitter temper over his immobility also create a lack of sympathy as he has no means to be optimistic or kind.

Ashes 1.

Make a list of vocabulary in the story that helps the reader focus on how Chris is feeling, and also how he perceives his mother to be feeling. For example: guilt, ‘itching with it’, ‘surliness’, ‘melancholia’, ‘distastefully’, “formidable”, “grimace and suffer”, “lingering ache”, “useless and toungue tied”, “powerless indignities”, “commiseration”, “reminisces”, “infuriates”, regret and pain

2.

What is significant about the father’s car in this story? The significance of the fathers car is that it serves as a reminder of the fathers presence and his personality as it “smells so characteristically” and has items within it that make up the father. The mother is bitter and dosent like the car as it would be a constant visual of what her husband once was.

3.

What clues about Chris’s uncertainty about his self-identity does Kennedy give the reader?

4.

How does the silver frame act as a motif in the story?

The silver frame acts as a memory from the past and something that the mother wanted to collect to remember the trips away. 5.

Why is the concluding sentence of the short story so powerful? The concluding sentence holds significance as it shows how the son absently wipes off a bit of his fathers ashes from his mothers jacket to brush away the final reminder after saying goodbye and to also not upset the mother further.

Laminex and Mirrors 1. What is the effect of Kennedy’s decision not to name the narrator?

It allows the reader to imagine the story as themselves as there is no name given so it makes it more subjective. 2. Make a list of the vocabulary used to describe the plastic surgery ward and its patients. How does the vocabulary compare to that used in describing Mr Moreton and his room?

“ash bins” “glistening white ensuite bathroom” “ancient bathroom” “rust coloured marks streak the surface”

3. There are many references to cleaning such as ‘spraying and wiping’ and ‘yellow cloth rises and falls’. What other examples can you find? Why does Kennedy create this imagery about mirrors and surfaces? What is the significance of the title ‘Laminex and Mirrors’?

“spray and wipe his perfectly clean mirror” “cleaning pointlessly”

Tender 1.

Reread Christine’s memory of finding the lump on page 66. Make a list of the words and phrases that Kennedy uses to show how aware Christine is of this invader in her body. “stabbing stitch” “buried in her lymph nodes” “tender place” “small sly sphere nesting disguised”

2.

Why does Kennedy weave in references to Buzz Lightyear and the Death Star? Why the Wizard of Oz and Enid Blyton? She makes these references

3.

Why is the word ‘tomorrow’ repeated throughout the story? Its almost as if she doesn’t know what will happen in the future so she keeps referencing tomorrow to illustrate mystique and worry about what could happen.

Like a House on Fire 1.

Kennedy places a great deal of emphasis on words that describe movement, and its associated pain for the narrator. Collect some of these words and phrases. Lugging, pull their weight, dragging, crunch like stones, sweating with pain, relieve pressure, tightly constrained, “work my teeth gritted way back up again”

2.

‘Oh, Merry Christmas, father of the year.’ (p. 78). Discuss how the injury has affected the narrator’s sense of masculinity and fatherhood. In light of this, what is the significance of the ending? The injury has meant that the narrator is now immobile and unable to do the stereotypical father things during the Christmas holidays making him feel a sense on hopelessness and despair. In light of this at the end the wife is able to get down on the floor with him and see everything from his point of view and sympathise with him

3.

How does Kennedy convey the tension between husband and wife in this story? Kennedy conveys the tension through showing the pressure the wife has to complete all the jobs around the house and also make an income due to the narrator being immobile. The tension exists between them due to the wifes frustration over the course of the injury

4.

Discuss the story’s title. How does this metaphor drive the story?

The story is titled ‘Like a house on fire’ which is a metaphor that can for example describe two people get on like a house on fire menaing they like each other very much and become close very rapidly, like a house caught on fire. The metaphor drives the story as it depicts the relationship between the husband and the wife.

Five-Dollar Family 1.

‘…the same aghast realisation jolting her, the same rush of disbelief, terror and happiness.’ (p. 100). Trace how Kennedy describes the developing relationship between mother and baby. The relationship between the mother and the baby is an instant love that she herself cant believe has formed so strongly. She still feels so much “disbelief, terror and happiness” about the fact that her own child is in the plastic crib beside her bed. The developing relationship is made evident when in her mind Kennedy demonstrates an automatic protective nature when the nurse refers to the baby as Baby and dosent refer to it by name.

2.

3.

Make a list of some key words and phrases used to construct Des’ character. 

Perplexed



Distant



Not present



Weary



Fearful



jaded



embarrassed – “what are you doing” he hissed

Find examples of three similes in the story and consider Kennedy’s purpose in using each. “like someone’s flicked a light switch on” Michele is so infatuated with her new baby that nothing else matters and she cant sleep and is full of energy that she just wants to experience this new dynamic in her life “ache in her is like someone has hooked bricks to her insides and left them to hang suspended” this simile is used to illustrate the pain that Michele is experiencing and how even though she speaks that she if fine, she truly feels worn out and pained. “studied her like a bus timetable” this simile is used to show her intensely the doctors and nurses assess her without any hesitation. Michele feels uncomfortable but Kennedy’s purpose is to show how the doctors assess her without a care in the world as if it is a normal everyday occurrence like reading a bus timetable which it is for them but for Michele it is completely out of her territory.

Cross-Country 1.

List some of the clichés used in the story. Why do people resort to clichés when offering consolation to others? Can you find clichés in other stories in this collection?

2.

Reread the description on page 123 of what Rebecca imagines cross-country running involves. What parallels can you see between this description and her current problems? Include specific words and phrases as evidence in your response. The parallels between what Rebecca imagines the cross country and her current problems as in her description she wonders if there is support staff who “tail gun the runners, just incase you fall into a puddle or a ditch and lie there overwhelmed with the pointlessness of it all.” This relates to her current problem of getting over the break up as she feels overwhelmed with

emotions and as if she cant get up to do anything and is tired of the pointlessness of al these emotions. 3.

How does the computer act as a metaphor in this story? Why is the story titled ‘CrossCountry’? The computer acts as a metaphor as it creates an image for Rebecca of motivation and seeing her ex boyfriend running makes her believe that she has to get up and do it as well which then encourages her to go to work again. At the end of the story, the computer shutting down and her closing the laptop represents her closing that chapter of her life and picking back up again.

4.

Do you feel Kennedy’s ending suggests that Rebecca will move on with her life? Will she go to work on Monday? The ending suggests that Rebecca does move on with her life as when her computer shuts down and shuts it ends that part of her life where she sat around moping about her past relationship and is illustrated when Kennedy says the sound of the computer shutting off tells you that whatever you’ve been watching, its time to roll the credits which coincides with Rebeccas past relationship as all the stalking and moping she has been doing is time to finish. Kennedy suggests she will go back to work on Monday as the closing of the laptop and taking a shower and getting a drink and ending it all represents her motivating her self to pick back up.

Sleepers 1.

Kennedy chooses words that emphasise the slow pace of Ray’s life. Make a list of examples. Inching forward, lethargic, STOP/SLOW, slow anaesthetic, yawned, single slow motioned finger lifted in acknowledgement, slowing him down, gradually, sitting motionless, fogged head, wearily,

2.

What is the effect of Kennedy’s repetitive use of ‘should’? The reppition of the word should gives the effect that they have obligation but they haven’t done it or cant be bothered doing it as of yet. It highlights the slow pace of Ray’s life

3.

Reread the last few paragraphs of ‘Sleepers’. In what ways does Ray’s life parallel the old redgum sleepers? The parralell is seen as the red gum sleepers have so much potential within them yet they are discarded which correlates with Rays life.

Whirlpool 1.

There are many references to photos and the act of photography in the story. Collect examples and consider why photos are such an important motif. Compare this to the photo in ‘Five-Dollar Family’.

Photos are an important motif of a story as they can either be used to show the relationships between many different people and create a. true representation of a feeling and story. Whilst they can also be a cover up of what is actually happening for example in whirlpool the narrator feels judged by her mother and whiches to escape the stuffy, false air of the house but in the photo puts on a forced smile that everyone will see. Simiarly in five dollar family

the true relationship between them are not truly represented as the forced poses and the true “feeling sealed” 2.

Reread the paragraph at the top of page 146. How could you contrast Anna’s feelings with those of some other characters in the short story collection?

Anna feeling loose and helpless can contrast to the first short story flexion and his frustration of being helpless and immobile and pessimistic outlook he had on his life and is harsh man who is unable to show gratitude towards the kindness of others, unable to ask for help, unable to show weakness or to tolerate perceived weakness. It can also be closely related to like a house on fire as the husband is also immobile and has to lie on his back due to his injury and feels husband looks at his life from his prostrate position on the floor. He has hurt his back and, as a result of pain and the threat of further injury, must lie still as life continues around him. Once active and competent, he now feels frustrated with his inability to move and to contribute to his family, helplessly watching as his sons become more immersed in television and lose the playfulness that he remembers from only a year earlier.

3.

Kennedy chooses to italicise some words and phrases in this story. Choose three examples and offer reasons why. “oh, darling”= this cold suggest that the mother is looking down on her daughter and making Anna feel embarrassed for asking such a thing. “you’re so fat”= The emphasis on the word fat is to show how that word haunts Anna and makes her feel less about herself and is what she picks up on and focuses on within the sentence “You haven’t changed a bit” =this italicise on the phrase shows that anna narrates it in a sarcastic tone and shows that she is not happy with the situation

4.

Reread the scene where the family photographs are taken (pp. 151-153). Write a paragraph describing the body language of the family. Incorporate quotes into your writing. The family throughout the photograph is acting very forced with “dead, robot smiles” and positioning themselves close to eachother in hope to please the mothers friends overseas. The “proprietorial” hand of Anna’s mother on her shoulder suggests that the whole photograph is very forced and stage and brings a sense of discomfort. The eagerness to leave between the two girls is shown when they jump at the opportunity to race away from the photograph.

Cake 1.

Kennedy again uses italics. Reread the italicised words in ‘Cake’ and discuss why she does this. Kennedy uses italics within the story to show the mothers thoughts and sarcasem that is spoken without.

2.

Liz feels judged for her breastfeeding of Daniel. Are there examples in some of the other short stories of mothers feeling judged by others? In tender the mother feels judged and feels as if she has to put the most effort into her childs project In five dollar family the mother feels embarrassed that she is unable to get her son to breastfeed as the nurses are intense and there are mothers around her that can do it so easily.

3.

What is the significance of the title ‘Cake’? The title Cake is ironic because everytime a cake is brought out it is usually for a celebratory matter and used to spread cheer and commemorate a special occasion. Cake is commonly used to signify happiness and joy and is usually brought out for birthdays, and within the office long service leave or coming back to work. However everytime there is a cake bought out the narrator feels stuck and unhappy and ironically the opposite of what a cake should commemeorate.

White Spirit 1.

2.

This story is another written in the present tense and delivered through a first person perspective. What effect do these authorial decisions have on the story? The first-person narrative point of view only gives the reader access to the narrator's perspective of the events, characters and plot. It often includes the narrator's experiences, observations, thoughts, feelings and motivations. It allows an in depth feeling of what the narrator thinks and a more personal view. How many different meanings can be inferred from the title ‘White Spirit’?

3.

Mandy notices that the narrator is looking ‘a bit flat’ (p. 189). How would you describe the mood of the narrator? Does it change at all during the story?

4.

What is the effect of the narrator naming three of the women at the end of the story? They name them at the end of story to give them a name and no longer consider them as just objects anymore.

Little Plastic Shipwreck 1.

Reread page 198, making a note of the vocabulary Kennedy uses to describe Oceanworld. Discuss her choice of words. Kennedy uses words to talk down on oceanworld is downplayed and pessimistic as if the place is dark and fishy smelling. It is mentioned that not many tourists come at all and for any to show up would be wishful thinkingIts described as a sad and run down place. Kennedy’s choice of the words of teetering on the edge of bankruptcy illustrates the unpopularity of the place

2.

‘Stop thinking like that’ (p. 200). Describe Roley’s character and how he copes. Roley is seen to get angry at himself and prevent himself from overthinking

3.

Kennedy uses frequent imagery of faces, expressions and eyes in the story. Using examples, discuss how and why she does this.

4.

Why is the story titled ‘Little Plastic Shipwreck’?

The title ‘Little plastic ship wreck’ is mentioned on page 202 when Kaz tells the narrator about fish and their short term memory and that if you “put a fish into a fish bowl, and they start

swimming around in circles, and every time its like: Look, a little plastic ship wreck! Five seconds later: look, a little plastic ship wreck!’ This contrasts with Liz as she is considered brain dead with no way to withhold any memories.

Waiting 1.

How does Kennedy convey her portrait of this marriage? The marriage between the couple is almost tired and worn because of the constant disappointment when they lose a child. She now just keeps it from him to save disappointment I it dosent all work out showing exhaustion. She feels afraid that she cant give him what she feels she knows he wants which puts a strain on their marriage. However they are both supportive.

2.

What is suggested about resilience in this story? Are husband and wife both fighters? The wife, while she dosent see herself as a martyr, decides to hide the news that she is pregnant and is able to deal with all the emotions and anticipation of disappointment by herself even after losing a baby already. The husband and the wife are both fighters yet the wife shows her ability to be resilient through hiding her feelings.

3.

Anxiety and tension run through the story. Discuss how Kennedy’s language conveys these feelings. Give specific examples of words and phrases. “they’re not gonna call my number...