Anthology B the short stories A Hero 30

Anthology B – the short stories A Hero 30 October 2021

Families – characters. • Note that the story was written in the 1930 s and is set in a fictional Indian town called Malgudi • The story is centred on a cricket mad ten year old. • The family members are all characterised strongly • How is humour developed in the writing?

The father Sympathetic features Unsympathetic features Tries to teach Swami to be less timid and more self-reliant Bossy, frightening ““Swami get up” he said. He looked like an apparition. ” He speaks affectionately to Swami – ”little fellow” “I’ll make you the laughing stock of your school” is a cruel threat. “Father sneered” is unpleasant and suggests contempt He allows Swami to leave the door open

How does the father get on with. . . • His wife? • His mother? • Discuss and find quotations to support your views. • Do the range of examples increase your engagement with a “real” family?

Irony and comedy • To what extent is Swami a Hero? • He acts from fear and panic ( though consider that bravery is often considered to be the act of overcoming fear) • The burglar is described in strong terms, yet he “howls in pain” • Swami’s attempts to avoid sleeping in the office – the early night for example – are written to generate humour. How? • What else

Language: Comedy • Try to find moments where the language creates humour. • As an example, consider the “most notorious” burglar who cries in pain like a child. • What else can you find?

Language: Character Example Explanation “Swami made wild gesticulations. . . ” Exaggerated actions increase the sense of panic “He looked like an apparition in the semi darkness of the passage” The tone is that of a horror story which exaggerates the boy’s fear Aiyo! Something has bitten me! The “Devil” screams like a child.

Language : Character Comment Father is commanding and self important He is less confident with his wife Granny is very homely Swami is challenging to his father He is more direct to his granny Evidence

Language: effect • Read the passage which starts on Line 69 and ends 110 • How is language used to build tension? • How is language used to build pace? • How is language used to interest the reader?

How is the family presented? • A question might focus on the creation of interesting family relationships. • We have discussed three members of the family. • What do you think of the mother. . . Look carefully at the ending of the story. ,