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Extensive Like a House on Fire Q and A

English (Victorian Certificate of Education)

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Yr. 12 English

Guided Reading Questions

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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.

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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”

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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.

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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. 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

3. 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

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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 ‘Cross-
Country’?
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

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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.

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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. 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.
2. 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

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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 for a while” , “nervously read again with sweaty hands”,
“im so sorry I cant see a heartbeat”, “waiting room for the report to be printed”, “I know
whats coming” “heat like a shallow dish of water I was desperate not to tip”, “feeling of
something ebbing away:’

Static
1. How does Kennedy use personification in the story? Give specific examples.
“asthmatic wheeze of the leather chair”
“sucking air back into itself”
“those magazines kept promosing”
“sliding obediently”
“time goes fast”
“the pips dancing”
2. ‘Static’ is another story in which Kennedy italicises and capitalises words and phrases. Find at
least four examples to discuss.
Innermost sarcastic thoughts that are refused to say out loud and what the narrator is truly
feeling with no filter.
3. Kennedy writes this story from the male perspective. Does this enable her to comment on
marriage and family life in ways that might be different from a female perspective?
It allows a different perspective to be illustrated
4. How does Kennedy present Marie’s obsession with appearance and material objects?
Marie’s obsession with material things comes from her marriage without kids and feels the
need to impress her mother in law despite the judgement that always come no matter.

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5. How is the taupe lounge suite emblematic of tension in the marriage?

The lounge suite demonstrates tension in the marriage because

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