The Sound of a pony and trap

Starter: Define: Noun Adjective Verb Adverb

The Sound of a pony and trap Chapter 6 To be able to identify the different word classes and talk about the effect of a specific word Read p72 – 75 (when I got inside the house...)

• How one old woman had endured day after day, night after night, of isolation in this house, let alone for so many years, I could not conceive. I should have gone mad... (KIPPS chapter 5) • There are very few places more spooky than marshy places with mist rising; those flat, watery, misty places. Then you also need the classic location which gets cut off in some way – in the middle of a moor, in the middle of a storm - and where nobody can get away. (SUSAN HILL)

Discussion Points: To what extent is the setting responsible for what Kipps is experiencing? Can we fully rely upon Kipps’ account of the events? Have you ever felt frightened when in a strange / unfamiliar environment?

On your extract handout 1. Highlight / underline all the descriptions of Arthur’s feelings 2. Highlight, in a different colour, the descriptions of the mist 3. Then with a partner: Pick out the key words which describe his feelings Pick out the key words in the descriptions of the mist 4. Identify the word class of each key word How does Susan Hill use language to show Arthur’s feelings? How does Susan Hill use language to create an effective description of the mist?

Example: In chapter 6 Susan Hill describes Arthur as feeling ‘chilled and horrified’. She has chosen these verbs to emphasise the feeling of terror that Arthur feels. Both verbs have connotations of ghosts and a scary experience and they are both conventional of a ghost story. The effect of these verbs on the reader is that they will understand how Arthur is feeling because they will also feel these emotions while reading the novel.

2 x pee How does Susan Hill use language to show Arthur’s feelings? How does Susan Hill use language to create an effective description of the mist?

Extension Questions 1. How does the writer use the mist to create a sinister and frightening atmosphere? 2. How does the writer continue to surprise you in this passage?

Chapter 6 continued The Writer’s narrative style P 75 - p78 “Ghost stories...tell us about things that lie hidden within all of us, and which lurk outside all around us. They show human beings in the grip of the extremes of powerful emotions, at key moments and turning points in their lives. They also frighten delightfully, give shape, form and substance to our darkest and most primitive and child-like fears and imaginings, and, perhaps most importantly of all, they entertain.” SUSAN HILL

Narrative • Susan Hill often prepares the reader for a dramatic event by telling them it is GOING to happen. • This is a technique used by lots of writers to build up tension and suspense in the reader’s mind. • Not only is it an effective technique for keeping the reader interested but it also adds to the scary atmosphere and is well suited to the ghost story genre.

An example • ‘That walk back was a nightmare’ p73 • This is a good example of where the narrator lets us know that something bad is going to happen. • It creates a sense of realism as it’s just like a conversation – it’s a trait of speech. How often do you say ‘it was amazing’ before actually explaining what it was that was amazing?! • If you are easily frightened it also creates a sense of ‘I don’t want to read on, but I have to...’ which creates a link between the reader and the narrator because he also is doing something frightening (he feels compelled to go to the mysterious house even though all the indicators tell him that he shouldn’t go).

Your Turn • Re-read the paragraph on p73 (Then I realised that the mist...) • Find another example of Kipps telling us that something bad is going to happen. • Explain the effect that this quote has on the reader using the notes you just made.

Chapter 6 • Read the rest of the chapter • Phew – you survived! • Find a quote to show that Keckwick knows more than he’s letting on. • What major change of character is happening to Kipps at the end of this chapter?