Teacher's Notes

level 4 Teacher’s notes Teacher Support Programme

Seven

Anthony Bruno The word GREED is painted on his floor. Somerset easystarts realizes that the murderer is linking his crimes to the seven deadly sins: gluttony, greed, sloth, lust, pride, envy and wrath, and he warns his colleagues to expect more murders. The story tells of the murders that follow and level 2 ends with a twist that is both shocking and very sad. Chapter 1: Somerset is a homicide detective who is about level 3 to retire. He is keen to move to the country and change his life. David Mills, a younger detective, comes to the city to join him. They go to the scene of a homicide and find level 4 a fat man, Eubank, with his face in a plate of spaghetti. Somerset suspects there will be other murders. Chapter 2: Eli Gould, a top criminal defense lawyer is About the author level 5 murdered. The word “greed” is written in his blood. He Anthony Bruno’s novel Seven is based on the screenplay has had to cut off parts of his own body and weigh them. by Andrew Kevin Walker of the film Seven. Bruno, who At his apartment, Somerset finds the word “gluttony” and comes from the United States, has written several other this links the murders. Later Somerset finds fingerprints level 6 books in the crime genre, including The Iceman, a true on the wall, which spell out “help me.” story of an American serial killer. Bruno has a Master’s Chapters 3 and 4: The fingerprints lead to Victor degree in Medieval Studies and has worked as an editor Dworkin. They find him in his apartment, strapped to in a New York publishing house. the bed, where he has been for a year according to About the film photographs above him. He is just alive. The detectives find the suspected killer, John Doe, via library records but The film Seven stars Morgan Freeman as Somerset he shoots at them and escapes. Mills follows him and is and Brad Pitt as Mills. It was directed by David Fincher, shot. Later at Doe’s apartment, the detectives find a hand formerly a pop video director whose previous notable in a jar and photographs of the victims. venture into mainstream film direction was Alien3. This shares with Seven a very pessimistic view of the world Chapters 5 and 6: Tracy, Mills’ wife, confides in Somerset and of people, realized on the screen with very dark, that she is pregnant. Then another victim is found dead depressing interiors, constant rain and cloud, and a in a massage parlor. “Lust” is written on the wall. The generally oppressive feel. Fincher has since directed The man who was with the girl was forced at gun point to be Game (1997), Fight Club (1999), and Zodiac (2007). involved in the killing. Later another victim is found. This is a beautiful girl whose nose has been cut off. She was given Summary the choice to live without a nose or to commit suicide. Seven is a thriller about an ingenious serial killer. The two She chose suicide. Doe puts himself into the hands of the main characters are detectives William Somerset and police. David Mills. The American city in the story is unnamed: it Chapter 7: Doe says he will lead Somerset and Mills to could be any major city such as New York, Los Angeles or the other victims. These represent “envy” and “wrath.” Chicago. They drive out to the desert on the highway. A delivery The book opens with Somerset thinking about his van arrives with a package for Mills. Somerset opens it and forthcoming retirement from the police. However, finds Tracy’s head. Somerset tries to stop Mills from killing his plan is postponed with the murder of a grossly Doe, but Mills shoots Doe in the head. These are the final overweight man, who has been force-fed by someone, sins, Doe’s envy of the detectives and Mills’s wrath. Mills and onto whose house walls, the word GLUTTONY has will go to prison and Somerset decides not to retire but been painted. A second murder follows—that of a well- to continue the fight against crime. known lawyer notorious for defending known criminals.

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Seven

Background and themes respect each other’s style and way of working. However, the pessimism of the book comes through at the end, easystarts Good and evil: The main themes explored in Seven are when Mills’ theories are put to the test and Somerset is those of good and evil, and in particular, the different unable to save Mills from himself. ways of viewing and dealing with what is wrong in society. level 2 In Seven, the concept of evil is not only embodied in the killer, but in society itself. At one point the two detectives Discussion activities discover notebooks written by the killer. Somerset Chapter 1, pages 1–9 level 3 realizes that he agrees with and even sympathizes with Before reading the killer’s view of the world: that it, and particularly the 1 Discuss: Make sure all the students understand the city, has become so full of greed, selfishness and “sin” in word gluttony, then put students into small groups and ask them to predict what this chapter is about. level 4 general that it is totally rotten and no real “good” is left. Ask them to write down their ideas. The killer chooses to draw attention to and fight the evil that exists in the world with his own evil, by killing what While reading 2 Guess: Have students look at the picture on page 6. he hates. Somerset, on the other hand, after spending level 5 Have them guess how this man died. Write the ideas twenty-three years trying to clear up crimes, has given up on the board to refer at the end of the chapter. the fight and chosen to try to escape from it. It is Mills, his naïve and idealistic young partner, who believes that the After reading level 6 3 Discuss: Divide the class into two groups. Have one evil can be removed by fighting against it. group make notes about Somerset’s character and his Darkness and light: A related theme to the theme of style of working: the other half of the class does the evil—more obvious in the film than in the book—is that same for Mills. Then as a class, discuss the two men, the differences in their characters and how this might of darkness and light. The images in both the book and affect their working relationship. the film begin with very dark places, often the inside of 4 Write: Have students imagine they are Somerset. drab apartments and the dreary police precinct house, You write a letter to your mother, telling her that you and with exteriors that are very dull—usually with rain are going to retire and the reasons for this. Tell her how and heavy cloud. Through the story, the characters are much you hate the city and the crime you see all around you. Tell her where you are moving to and what you are gradually seen in brighter surroundings, and the final hoping for in your new life. scene is in the desert, in brilliant sunshine. This journey 5 Artwork: Divide the class into three groups. Have from dark to light represents the detectives’ gradual one group draw the country scene that Somerset understanding of the murderer’s motives and of his final sees while on the train, another group draw the crime. It also represents Somerset’s gradual realization outskirts of the city and the third group draw a scene from the city itself. Have the students use collage, that he cannot retire from the police and leave others to paints or create computer-generated images. Use fight crime. these pictures to create a display. Relationship between the detectives: The other main Chapter 2, pages 10–19 theme is the relationship between the two detectives. Before reading This relationship is a difficult one from the start. Their two 6 Predict: In small groups have students discuss the title styles as detectives are totally opposed to one another: of this chapter (Greed). What do you think happens in Somerset takes an intellectual approach to crime-solving, this chapter? What type of greed do you think this refers to? Is there another murder? If so, who is killed and how believing that the best way of catching a criminal is to get is this person killed? into his mind, while Mills is very much a man of action, angry and impetuous, who believes in searching the While reading 7 Discuss: In small groups have students discuss this streets to find the criminal. In addition, Somerset is very quotation from Somerset: “People used to kill cynical and doesn’t believe that the police can change someone for a purpose, even if it was a stupid much or achieve much in the fight against crime. Mills purpose. Now they do it for the hell of it, just to see disagrees with this and feels that the police can rid the what will happen.” What do you think Somerset means streets of crime and help to build a better society. As the by this? Do you think having a purpose makes it all right to kill someone? Can you imagine any situation where it story unfolds, we see how both approaches can work would be acceptable to kill someone? alongside each other and the two detectives come to

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Seven

8 Write: Have students think about crime in their Chapter 5, pages 33–36 country/city. Ask them to write a paragraph on crime easystarts After reading there and a paragraph on what could be done to 15 Write: Have students write the next chapter of the change things. Is there much crime? What sorts of book. What do you think will happen next? How many crimes are committed? Have things got better or worse sins are left? Will the detectives stop John Doe? How will level 2 in your opinion? Is there anything that can be done to they stop him? Will the killer strike again? stop or prevent serious crime? 16 Debate: In small groups ask students to discuss the Chapter 3, pages 20–27 following. What punishment should there be for a killer such as John Doe? Do you think he should be sent to level 3 After reading prison or face the death penalty? 9 Pair work: Ask students to write the answers to the Do you have the death penalty in your country? If so, for following questions, and then compare their answers which crimes? Do you think the death penalty is a good with their partner’s. Why does Somerset doubt that thing? Does it prevent other people from committing level 4 Dworkin is the killer at the beginning of this chapter? murder? Divide the class into two and have them Why do you think the killer is committing these debate the motion “The death penalty is a good homicides? What do you think will happen next? Do you thing.” Each half should prepare arguments. After one think Somerset and Mills will find the murderer? level 5 student from each group presents the arguments, the 10 Role play: Student A: You are Somerset. You want to class can debate the motion together. Ask the see the library records. You are trying to see if students to vote for or against the motion. anyone has borrowed books related to religion, the seven deadly sins, homicide etc. You are in a hurry Chapter 6, pages 37–39 level 6 and quite cross. After reading Student B: You are Mills. You also want the 17 Discuss: In small groups ask students to discuss this information but you are more polite and try and chapter (Pride). What happens in this chapter? Why do talk the librarian into giving you access to the you think that Doe has given himself computer records. up to the police? Do you believe Doe? Has he committed Student C: You are the librarian. You are not allowed other homicides? Do you think Doe is clever or stupid? to let anyone who does not work at the library have Is he planning something else? access to the records. You could get into trouble with your boss if you do. Students have the Chapter 7, pages 40–49 conversation. While reading 11 Discuss: In small groups have students discuss the 18 Discuss: Refer to page 41. Ask students to discuss following questions. a) What evidence is there that the the following questions in pairs. Why do you think Doe killer has planned the murder very carefully? b) Why has will only talk to Somerset and Mills? Why can he only tell the killer cut off Dworkin’s right hand? c) What is the them at 6 p.m.? What is he planning? meaning of the name John Doe? 19 Discuss: Refer to page 44. Ask students to predict what is in the box. Why is the box addressed to Chapter 4, pages 28–32 Detective David Mills? What do you think is inside? Before reading Write students’ predictions on the board before 12 Discuss: Ask the class who they think John Doe is. continuing to read. Is he the murderer or is he another victim? Has Somerset simply made a mistake and John Doe has no connection After reading to the case? 20 Discuss: Put students into small groups. Ask them to discuss this chapter (Envy and Wrath). Was this the After reading ending you expected? What did you expect to happen? 13 Write: Have students make a list of the things they Did you predict what was in the box? Who do you think find in John Doe’s apartment. What unusual things do has won, the detectives or John Doe? Would you react in the detectives find? Who do you think the hand belongs the same way as Mills? Do you think what he did was to? What unusual photographs do they find? wrong? Should Mills go to prison or face the death 14 Discuss: Put students into small groups and ask penalty, or should he be allowed to go free? them to discuss John Doe. What sort of person do you think John Doe is? What words could you use to describe him? Is he a normal person or is he mad? Do you think anything has happened to him in his life to make him into a murderer?