KS4 GCSE Scheme of Work: Prose Study

KS4 GCSE SCHEME OF WORK: PROSE STUDY TEACHERS’ GUIDE

Taught with the following essay title in mind:

Discuss the opening chapter of 'Great Expectations.' Is it an effective start to a novel and if so what methods did Dickens use to ensure his readers' continuing interest?

CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND MAIN TEACHING POINTS

 Detailed reading and analysis of chapter one. Look in detail at humour, setting (time, place and weather), atmosphere (suspense), language (verb choices , sentence construction and repetition of phrases), characterisation. Discuss how it leaves the reader in suspense and wanting to know more e.g. will the boy tell Joe about the convict? Will he be caught? What happens next? Introduce pathetic fallacy and analyse where it occurs in the chapter.

 Discuss style of writing (sentence structure) and how this dates the novel as Victorian. Discuss social context.

 Chapter 2 & 3 - discuss all issues and social context. Make notes on themes and characterization, etc.

 Chapter 4 - write 50 words on how Pip is made to feel (guilty and unhappy) by the company at Christmas dinner and how the ending develops the theme of crime further.

 Chapters 5 and 6 - discuss the notion of Joe's Christian forgiveness opposed to the 'hunt' performed by the other characters. How does this episode affect Pip's conscience? How does keeping this secret isolate Pip still further? Hotseating opportunities here.

 Chapter 7 - class discuss how the chapter indicates 'expectations' and so develops the theme of the title.

 Chapter 8 - discuss Miss Havisham. Was she like they expected after reading the poem? Write her account of meeting Pip in the first person.

 Chapter 10 - pay careful attention to the 'two sweltering pound notes' and how they form a clue to Pip's later expectations.

 Chapter 11 - discuss how comedy and dark suspense are used in this part with the pale young gentleman and Miss Havisham's wedding feast. To what effect? Write 50 words explaining why this is done.

 Chapter 15 - focus on the characterisation of Orlick and his criminal tendencies. Compare him with Magwitch. Note the similarities for essay purposes.  Chapter 16 - What does Mrs Joe's desperation to see Orlick suggest?

 Chapter 17 and 18 - Write 50 words about Biddy's advice, e.g. what is it? Why does she give it? Is it sensible?

 Chapter 18 - stress the mixed emotions about Pip's expectations. Note also the characterisation of Jaggers.

 Chapter 19 - note that the episode with the convict still haunts Pip- and also discuss the change in others' attitudes that money can make. Feedback in pairs whether students feel this is still the case.

 Chapter 22 - discuss Pip's lesson on being a gentleman. Are these social rules important? Draw attention to the flashback technique used to give us facts that Pip could not otherwise know.

 Chapters 23, 24 and 25 - draw out major points especially Wemmick's double life.

 Chapter 26 - characterisation of Drummle and Jaggers' admiration of him- suggests he admires his criminal qualities. Ask class about hand washing and refer back to Macbeth.

 Chapter 27 - note how Joe does not fit in in London. Pip's snobbishness.

 Chapter 28 and 29 - Ask them to write 50 words about Miss Havisham's plea to Pip. What feelings do they think are behind this?

 Chapter 32 - discuss the idea of Newgate (and Estella's response to it). Hotseat Pip and Estella.

 Chapter 34 - discuss the moral decline of Pip, and in pairs brainstorm on a plain sheet of A4 all the events or suggestions that Pip is no longer the morally upstanding boy he once was when under the influence of Joe.

 Chapter 35 - write 50 words on how comedy is used alongside pathos for effect in this chapter. Note also the use of pathetic fallacy at the end - for what purpose?

 Chapter 36 – Pip’s disappointment.

 Chapter 37 - discuss Wemmick's need for a double life and his final decision to help Pip aid Herbert. Does this help the reader challenge the idea that Pip is in a state of moral dissipation? Could have a S&L challenge - to argue that it works to exonerate Pip or that it doesn't.

 Chapter 38 - Ask students to summarise what they have read and try to explain the new relationship forming between Miss Havisham and Estella. Hotseat either or both characters before continuing.

 Chapter 39 - look out for our attitudes towards both Pip and Magwitch. Do we divide our sympathies evenly between the two and if so, how does Dickens achieve this in a first person narrative? See if students can come up with an idea that links Magwitch to Miss Havisham? (the idea of owning a gentleman as an act of revenge)

 Chapter 42 - discuss Magwitch's story and the themes it draws out e.g. social injustice, crime and punishment, parents or lack of, etc. Make notes on what aspects of this chapter you will draw on to answer the essay question – e.g. the change in Magwitch and our shifting sympathies.

 Chapter 44 - comment on use of cliff hanger ending to conclude this weekly part.

 Chapter 45 - discuss how Pip's anxious state of mind is portrayed in terms of the run down hotel room. Again see if students can spot that the building of suspense is interspersed with comical writing. Why?

 Chapter 46 and 47 - the suspense and the sinister figure at the theatre.

 Chapter 48 - further mysteries that are coming to light, and the linking of Satis House to crime. Also the theme of parentage - make notes on essay sheet. Prediction activity.

 Chapter 49 - 'melodramatic' elements to Miss Havisham's repentance and comment that it reflects Dickens' interests in melodrama at that time.

 Chapters 50 and 51 - Are the secrets of Estella's parentage best kept that way? Discuss and hotseat.

 Chapter 52 - one good act coming from Pip's expectations.

 Chapter 53 - point out the confrontation as necessary for Pip to purge his 'darker' self. Also point out the pathetic fallacy at the end - the bright weather symbolising Pip's cleansing of his guilt.

 Chapter 54 - Pip has now lost all his expectations. Hotseat at this time.

 Chapter 56 - Discuss trial scene and link this with Dickens' morality and social criticism. Also the Christian element of judgement day. Discuss parable at end. What does it signify for Pip?

 Chapter 57 - make notes on Joe's portrayal as a 'ministering Angel' to Pip. Does Pip deserve this? More loose ends tied up with rewards and punishments.

 Chapters 58-9 - discuss the ambiguous ending. How would students like to interpret this? Do Pip and Estella part forever?

 Teacher must now return to chapter one and perform another close reading to really draw out the themes that students will now be aware of.