‘Ruby in the Smoke’ Resource Pack CONTENTS

Objective: to analyse the writer’s intentions through the  Characterisation

representations of characters in the context of the narrative
 Synopsis

 Context

 Themes

 Author biography

 Writer’s intentions

 Motifs, symbolism and

dramatic devices

 PEEL response

 Key quotations

 Assessment scaffolds
 SYNOPSIS
The Ruby in the Smoke' is a mystery story set in Victorian London. Sally Lockhart's father has just died and she has received a mysterious letter telling her to seek out
Marchbanks and to avoid 'The Seven Blessings.' Sally begins to investigate and is soon drawn into two dangerous mysteries, one revolving around a much-desired
Ruby, and the other concerning her father's death. By the end of the story, with the help of new friends, she manages to solve both mysteries.
Sally goes to the offices of her late father's shipping firm, Selby and Lockhart. She has received a letter that warns her about the 'Seven Blessings.' She asks the
company Secretary about this and he immediately dies of fright. A boy called Jim overhears this and decides to help Sally with her mystery. Sally returns to Mrs. Rees'
house, a distant relative whom she has been living with since her father died.

Sally receives a letter from Major Marchbanks, asking her to come see him in Swaleness. However, when she arrives he tells her that a dangerous woman called Mrs.
Holland is in his house. He gives Sally an important parcel to read and then tells her to get away quickly. She does so, but is followed by Mrs. Holland. She sees a
photographer on the pier and he agrees to let her hide in his tent until Mrs. Holland has gone. Sally opens Marchbanks' parcel on the train home. It is his diary. She
reads an entry about him serving in India and seeing the beautiful Ruby of Agrapur. She then falls asleep and while she is sleeping, a man steals the diary, leaving only
a page with a riddle on it. Meanwhile, a man called Matthew Bedwell arrives in London and stays at Mrs. Holland's lodgings. Mrs. Holland becomes interested in
some information he has, so she keeps him drugged on opium to stop him from leaving. Bedwell tells Mrs. Hollands' servant Adelaide to contact Sally for him.
Adelaide goes to Selby and Lockhart and talks to Jim, who passes the news on to Sally.

Mrs. Holland hires a man called Mr. Hopkins to rob Sally of the paper with the riddle on it. He steals the paper but is mugged and killed in the street afterwards. Sally
is horrified and realizes that she has to move. She leaves Mrs. Rees and goes to her lawyer, where she draws out all the money from her account. She then seeks out
the photographer from the beach, Frederick. He and his sister Rosa invite her to stay with them in return for her help with the business.
Frederick decides to help Sally with her mystery. They go to Oxford to find Bedwell's brother, who agrees to help them get Bedwell away from Mrs. Holland. Frederick
takes Sally to an opium den to get some of the drug so they can wean Bedwell off it. Sally accidentally breathes in the smoke and sees a vision of her past.
Mrs. Holland, with a hired thug called Mr. Berry, tracks down the thief who mugged Mr. Hopkins, and retrieves the paper with the riddle. As she is doing this,
Frederick and Reverend Bedwell break in to her lodgings and manage to escape with Matthew Bedwell and Adelaide.

Bedwell recovers and tells Sally the truth about her father's death. He was murdered by a criminal called Ah Ling, head of the Chinese Triad called The Seven
Blessings. Sally decides it is time to get a gun to protect herself. Mrs. Holland finally manages to solve the riddle. She goes to the pub in Swaleness where the Ruby is
hidden, but it is gone. Someone has already found it. Mrs. Holland is furious, and she retaliates by kidnapping Adelaide. Jim and Frederick immediately go after her.
Jim manages to escape with Adelaide, but is caught again at King James's Stairs. There he and Frederick fight Mr. Berry, eventually defeating him. However, Mrs.
Holland has left with Adelaide.

Meanwhile, Sally decides to take opium again to see more visions of her past. She does so, and suddenly understands the importance of the Ruby. Rosa admits that
Jim found the Ruby a while ago, but hid it to keep Sally safe. Rosa gives the Ruby to Sally. Sally arranges to meet Mrs. Holland at London Bridge, where Mrs. Holland
explains that the Ruby was promised to her long before the Maharajah gave it to Lockhart. Lockhart then exchanged it for Marchbanks' baby. Sally is actually
Marchbanks' daughter. Sally throws the Ruby into the river, but Mrs. Holland dives after it and drowns. Just when Sally thinks it is all over, a coach draws up and a
man called Van Eeden kidnaps her. He tells her that he is Ah Ling, the man who murdered her father for interfering in his illegal opium trade. He threatens Sally with a
knife, but she shoots him and runs away.Later, Sally receives a message to look in the clock tower at her old house. She finds ten thousand pounds that her father
received for selling his share in Selby and Lockhart. She decides to put the money towards helping Frederick's business and finding the missing Adelaide.
 Sally
Lockhart
Sally may only be 19 years old but she's a remarkable young woman -
beautiful, with extraordinary strength and determination. She was
orphaned when her father, shipping agent Matthew Lockhart,
drowned when his ship went down in the South China Seas. Sally and
her father were very close. Her upbringing was pretty eccentric: he
taught her all about book-keeping, how to fire a pistol, and how to
speak Hindustani like a native. Not exactly the ideal accomplishments
of a Victorian lady.
But Sally's remarkable assets will prove very useful indeed, as she is
drawn into the dark web of secrets surrounding her father's death.
Sally receives a note from a stranger which puts her in grave danger -
particularly when she crosses the path of a terrifying old hag called
Mrs Holland. But Sally also finds new friends in Jim Taylor, the
company dogsbody at her father's firm, and the handsome
photographer Frederick Garland. Together, they set about solving the
mystery - and form close new friendships along the way...
Mrs
Holland
Mrs Holland is evil through and through. She
runs a dingy lodging house in Hangman's Wharf
in the darkest corner of Wapping, near the
London docks. She rules this world with an iron
fist, treating all who work for her with cruelty
and contempt. Her young maid, Adelaide, lives
in a constant state of terror. Even the burly thugs
who do Mrs Holland's dirtiest work are too
scared to cross her. But Mrs Holland was not
always a malevolent old crone. In her youth, she
was a great beauty and buried deep in this past-
life is a secret which will lead Mrs Holland
straight to Sally Lockhart. For she is totally
obsessed with getting her hands on the famous
Ruby of Agrapur. And, unknowingly, Sally is the
only person who can stop her...
Adelaide
Mrs Holland's small maid, only ten years old and covered in
grime. But somewhere beneath the filth is a sweet young
girl with flaxen hair and huge eyes - eyes haunted by a
permanent and soul-destroying fear. Because Adelaide is
scared to death of Mrs Holland's threats. If she makes a
mistake, tries to run away, or even just stews the tea, then
Mrs Holland swears she'll murder her and throw her body in
the yard. It's no idle promise either - Adelaide has seen the
bones of the last maid and she's desperate not to meet the
same fate. But Adelaide can't help but be drawn into the
mystery surrounding Sally Lockhart and the Ruby of Agrapur.
And even though she finds some firm friends in the shape of
Jim Taylor, Sally and Frederick Garland, it is all but inevitable
that Mrs Holland will discover Adelaide is working against
her...

Frederick Garland Jim Taylor Rosa Garland

Frederick is a photographer, boyishly handsome,
in his late twenties with straw-coloured hair and
good-natured features. He meets Sally Lockhart
by chance when he helps her escape from Mrs
Holland, who is in hot pursuit. Soon, he becomes
Sally's closest friend - and takes her under his
wing when she needs somewhere to stay in
London. It's not long before an attraction grows
between him and Sally, which could turn into
something special.Frederick runs a small
photography studio and shop in Holborn with his
fiesty sister Rosa. But whilst Frederick has a fine
creative brain, he isn't up to much when it comes
to accounting so the business is not doing very
well.When Sally moves in, she takes over the
book-keeping and helps bring some order to the
business side of things. In return, Frederick
supports Sally in her quest to solve the mystery of
her father's death, and overcome the evil Mrs
Holland.
The company dogsbody at the
Lockhart and Selby shipping firm. Jim
is in his late teens, with a slightly
unkempt and grimy appearance. He's
lively, intelligent, and above all a true
and loyal friend. In his spare time, Jim
loves reading Penny Dreadful comics -
their boys' own adventures and
fiendish riddles appeal to his spirit of
adventure. He's a great amateur
detective too. Which makes him an
absolutely indispensable help for Sally
as she attempts to piece together the
mystery surrounding the Ruby of
Agrapur. Jim quickly becomes great
friends with Frederick and Rosa, and
takes little Adelaide under his wing.
He'd do anything to save her - even if
it means going against the evil Mrs
Holland.
Frederick's sister, a fiesty and incredibly smart actress. She's unconventional, outspoken and
knows her brother so well that they tend to finish each other's sentences off. When they're not
arguing, that is.When Sally comes to live at Garland's, Rosa is a strong ally and friend to her and
they grow almost as close as sisters. Rosa also finds herself growing very fond of the Reverend
Nicholas Bedwell - who is drawn into her life because of his connection with Lockhart and Selby,
and the death of Sally's father.
Matthew Bedwell
Matthew Bedwell worked for Sally's father, and was aboard the very ship which sank drowning
him. Now, he's back in London with one mission. To tell Sally the truth about what happened.But
unfortunately Matthew is an opium addict, a dark obsessive habit which threatens to overcome
him. He falls into the wrong hands, ending up in Mrs Holland's lodging house. Matthew manages
to get word to Sally through Mrs Holland's maid, Adelaide. It will take all their best efforts - and
those of Matthew's twin brother, Nicholas - to get him out of harm's way...
Nicholas Bedwell
Nicholas Bedwell is the curate of St John's, Summertown Oxford. He's also got a remarkably fine
right hook, having boxed for his university. It's a skill which comes in very useful when Nicholas
has to fight Mrs Holland and her thugs in order to rescue his poor twin brother,
Matthew.Nicholas is loyal, strong, wise and kind - a great friend to Sally Lockhart, and a real
thorn in Mrs Holland's side.
 SETTING LITERARY QUALITIES
While the novel is set in England in 1872, there are occasional scenes from the Orient Pullman's novel is written in the style of a melodrama with the stock characters of the
provided by Sally's opium-induced dreams as well as by the recollections of other noble hero, the cold-blooded villain, and the virtuous heroine. While Sally Lockhart fills
characters. That Pullman has well-researched this era is reflected in his accurate the role of the heroine, Jim and Frederick assume the roles of the heroes with some
descriptions and his allusions to actual events and locations. The reader is treated to an assistance from the Reverend Bedwell. Mrs. Holland and Hendrick Van Eeden are cast as
overview of 1870s England with its crime and poverty, and to a picture of a sick society with the primary villains. Throughout the book are the typical melodramatic elements of
its opium dens. Although unfamiliar items such as box lock pistols, mudlarks, and hansom emotional scenes, impossible situations, and dramatic chases. Also woven into the story is
cabs are mentioned in the novel, Pullman explains what they are as he refers to them. a look at the social evils of the time. Cliff-hangers at the ends of chapters are reminiscent
of the works of serial writers of the 1800s such as Charles Dickens.
Pullman's vivid descriptions of the setting create an atmosphere of mystery and add to the
feeling of suspense throughout the novel. For example, when he describes the town of The novel consists of two parallel plots that are closely intertwined. It is only when both
Swaliness where Sally visits Mr. Marchbanks, Pullman hints at the gloom and impending are joined in the exciting conclusion that the events of the novel and the actions of the
danger when he writes: "The town was cheerless and cold, and the river a muddy creek that characters finally fall into place. One plot is the story of Sally's quest to unravel the
wound its way among salt flats before entering that distant line of gray that was the sea. mystery of Captain Lockhart's death. This leads her to the shipping firm of Lockhart and
The tide was out; the scene was desolate." Selby, to Mr. Marchbanks, then to Matthew Bedwell and Mrs. Holland, and eventually to
the sinister pirate Ah Ling. The second plot is the story of Mrs. Holland's search for the
Ruby of Agrapur. Tying these two plots together are the characters of Mr. Marchbanks
SOCIAL SENSITIVITY KEY THEMES who is Sally's real father, and Matthew Bedwell who is a sailor with information about Mr.
Lockhart's death. This pattern is reflected in the overlapping motifs of the...
Although there is violence in the novel, most
of the truly bloody events are only alluded Opium and Trade
to, and most of the violence happens to the
villains. For example, when Matthew
THE NOVEL’S TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
Bedwell describes the sinking of the Lavinia, Friendship and Loyalty 1. Folklore often gives symbolic meanings to gem stones. For example, a red stone worn by a
he remembers that "the sharks came. The man is said to indicate nobility and leadership and also to signify vengeance. On a woman, a
poor devils didn't have a chance," and when red stone is said to indicate pride, obstinacy, and haughtiness. Identify the people in the book
Mr. Selby takes a trip to see a boat, the Strong Women and who possessed the Ruby of Agrapur. Did they possess any of these characteristics?
reader is not sure that he has been
murdered until his body is found floating in Victorian Attitudes 2. Throughout the novel, Pullman provides excellent descriptions of the London of 1872.
the river. Using passages from several parts of the book, describe the area around the East India Docks
and Wapping where Mrs. Holland lives.
The British opium trade in the 1800s is
frankly discussed and the opium dens and
KEY SYMBOLS/CONTEXT 3. Although Sally seems independent, she sometimes uses her female charms to help her in
opium smoking are described. However, the situations. Locate and describe examples of her independence and of her use of female
The Ruby of Agrapur
descriptions are accurate and reflect the charms. What do they tell us about her intelligence and personality?
Victorian London
history of the British opium trade at that
Sally’s Gun
time. The book does not glamorize the trade 4. After meeting Mrs. Holland on the bridge and learning about her past, Sally throws the
Selby and Lockhart Shipping Agents
or the effects of opium on those who use it. gemstone off London Bridge. Why does she do that? Knowing that the ruby was valuable, why
Swaleness
In fact, Pullman's description of Matthew did she not keep it?
The Turk’s Head
Bedwell when he first arrived in London's
Penny Dreadful
West India Docks presents a picture of a 5. Throughout the book are terms for items which were common during Sally Lockhart's time
Opium Den
man who is barely alive. "But if anyone had such as box lock pistols, mudlarks, hansom cabs, and penny dreadfuls. First use the novel to
East India Company
seen into his mind and sensed the chaos identify and define these and other Victorian terms. Then, for terms which are still unclear,
Burton Street
that reigned in the dark place, they would find their meaning in a dictionary or encyclopedia.
Omnibus
have thought it remarkable that he managed
Mudlarks
to keep going at all." 6. Define foreshadowing and find examples of its use throughout the...
Stereographic Pictures
QUESTIONS FOR EXTENDED STUDY FROM QUOTE FINDING TO PEEL ANALYSIS
1. While Sally's Ruby of Agrapur is fictitious, there are many famous gemstones, some of
which have legends or dramatic tales surrounding them. Examples of famous gems include Focus passage: Bedwell’s description of the Pirate Junk (p131-132)
the Hope diamond, the Koh-i-noor diamond, the Cullinan diamond, the Rosser Reeves star Task: locating similes, personification, symbolism and metaphor
ruby, the Star of India sapphire, and the DeLong star ruby. Research one or several of these
or other well-known gemstones and chronicle their histories. Simile Personification Symbolism Metaphor

2. The Ruby belongs to the family of gems called corundum. Explore the corundum gems.
“like a “with an air of “made my “and the sea, it was
What is included in the family? Where are they found? What are the properties of the
puppet in watching us” blood run cold” alive with
gems? one of the phosphorescence”
shadow-
3. Sally Lockhart was an independent woman, just like Queen Victoria who ruled the British plays”
Empire during the time of Sally's adventures. Describe the life of Queen Victoria and discuss
her importance in history.
“solid “now those seas “the junk was “our wake and our
4. Write an overview of the Opium Wars of 1839-1842 and 1856-1860. Discuss why they blackness are might bust” the only thing in bow-wave were
were fought and who participated in the wars. Then examine the results of these wars and
like a the glowing great, swirling tracks
paper cut- panorama that made up of billions of
explain their importance not only to the opium trade but to trade and commerce in general
out” was dark” spots of white lights.
and to the power of the British Empire.

5. During Sally Lockhart's time, the British Empire extended over vast parts of the world. “tack like a “just crawling,
Identify the areas of Eastern Asia and the Indian subcontinent that were controlled by schooner” creeping,
England. Then pick one area to explore in detail. How did British rule change that area? dawdling across
the water”
6. The adventures of Sally Lockhart take place in 1872...
“and the sea, it
was alive with
ADAPTATIONS OF
‘RUBY IN THE SMOKE’
BOOK CHAPTERS phosphorescence”

The Ruby in the Smoke is the first of
Pullman's trilogy about Sally Lockhart.
In Shadow in the North, Sally has
established her own business as a
financial adviser. When one of her clients
confronts Sally with the collapse of a
shipping firm that Sally recommended,
Jim and Frederick try to solve the mystery
of what happened to the firm. In the final
book, The Tiger in the Well, Sally is
threatened with a divorce from a man
whom she has never met. When her
"husband" tries to take all of Sally's
savings and her young daughter, Sally sets
out to find the person behind the evil plot
to ruin her life.
Chapter 1 - Blessings
Chapter 2 – The Web Easy
Chapter 3 – The Gentlemen of Kent I think [quote] is interesting / effective / entertaining because...
Chapter 4 - Mutiny These words / This phrase helps readers ...
Chapter 5 – The Ceremony of the Smoke
Chapter 6 - Messages
Chapter 7 – The Consequences of Finance Difficult
Chapter 8 – The Passions of Art The writer uses simile/metaphor/personification/symbolism when he says
Chapter 9 – The Journey To Oxford [quote] in order to show…
Chapter 10 – Madame Chang
Chapter 11 – The Stereographic Repertory Co.
Chapter 12 - Substitution PEEL QUESTION: How has Pullman used language devices in Chapter 13 in
Chapter 13 – Lights Below The Water order to convey something important about character, context, mood and/or
Chapter 14 – Arms and the Girl
atmosphere in the scene?
Chapter 15 - The Turk’s Head
Chapter 16 – Protecting The Property
Point – Pullman uses [insert language device] in order to show…
Chapter 17 – King James’s Stairs Evidence – For example, he adds “…”
Chapter 18 - London Bridge Explain – The effect of this quotation on the reader is…
Chapter 19 - East India Docks Link – Pullman’s intention is to…
Chapter 20 – The Clock Tower

NARRATIVE POINT OF VIEW
The story is told in third person by the author who
has quite a conversational voice that makes the
reader feel close to the narrator. He will sometimes
point out something or explain something as if he
is talking directly to the reader, which helps the
reader to feel more involved in the story.
At first the story is told from Sally Lockhart's point
of view. She is the main character, so the reader is
introduced to the world and the mystery through
her eyes. She is a strong, independent and
confident girl who is intrigued by the mystery and
determined to solve it. However, she can also be
unsure, self-conscious and vulnerable. She does not
really know how to talk to people, and when she
interacts with others this sometimes comes out as
shyness. Sally does not like to show the rest of the
world this vulnerability, trying to hide it by being
businesslike, such as when she offers to pay
Frederick for the use of his tent. When she is
feeling awkward or confused, it is not always easy
for others to tell. Providing the reader with a
deeper insight into what she is thinking and feeling,
therefore, allows them to understand and
sympathize with her better.
As the story continues, many other point of view
characters are introduced. The reader sees things
from the perspective of Mrs. Holland, Marchbanks,
Bedwell, Mr. Hopkins, Jim, Adelaide, Selby, and
occasionally even Van Eeden. There is also one
section from Ellen the maid's point of view.
However, the majority of the story is still seen
through Sally's eyes. The reader therefore
sometimes sees things that Sally and her friends do
not. Out of all the characters, the readers have
more clues than anyone else, and so they can solve
the mystery sooner. This makes the story more
interactive and fun. This also means that suspense
and tension can be increased, as the reader will
often know when a character is in danger when
they themselves do not.
Occasionally the author will describe a scene
without showing any character's particular point of
view. For example, this happens when Frederick
and Reverend Bedwell go to Mrs. Holland's
lodgings to rescue Matthew Bedwell. The reverend
is not a point of view character, so the reader gets
no insight into what he is thinking. Frederick's own
thoughts and feelings are deliberately kept
mysterious from the reader, as we are left in
suspense as to how he really feels for Sally. This is
why Frederick cannot be a point of view character.
SETTING
The story is set in Victorian London. At this time, women
were expected to remain demure, ladylike, submissive
and in the home. A woman's role was to be a good wife
and mother. Sally defies these conventions of society, as
she is a very strong, independent and capable girl. She
does not need a man to accompany her or to take care
of her. This sometimes gains her disapproval, but she
soon finds a place where she can belong. Fredrick and
Rosa are quite unconventional too, and they do not
mind Sally's uniqueness at all. In fact, they like and
admire her all the more because of her strength,
confidence and business skills.
Other elements of the Victorian world also come into
the story. There are no cars since people travel by train
or coach and photography is still a new and exciting
invention. Trade with the East Indies and China is
extremely important, and opium is central to the plot.
Sally's father was once an officer serving in India, which
at this time was ruled by Britain. Jim likes to read 'Penny
Dreadful' magazines, which were periodicals with
serialized short stories about heroes, mysteries and
monsters, known for their lurid details. The author does
a good job of conjuring up the atmosphere and details of
Victorian London.
The author also shows the 'hidden' side of the Victorian
world. This is the side of Victorian Britain that is
sometimes forgotten. The Victorian times were ones of
great invention, exploration, discovery, wealth and
opportunity, but they also had their darker side. In this
story the reader is told about the government's corrupt
dealings in opium, and how they went to war with China
in order to force them to accept the drug. They did not
care how many people suffered as long as they could
continue to profit from it. This is explored in this story
through the prominence of opium. Sally sees how opium
ruins ordinary people's lives, then comes to see how
opium is at the root of all her problems. The Ruby of
Agrapur was bought with money from opium, and the
Mutiny in which the Maharajah died and the ruby was
exchanged for Sally, was caused by the opium trade.
Sally sees opium dens in the city, and comes to
understand that opium is a terrible evil. However, as
Frederick points out, there are perhaps even worse evils.
Sally sees poverty on a scale she had never imagined.
There was a huge gap between rich and poor in
Victorian cities, and this is portrayed in this story. There
are beggars on the streets and children forced to scour
the river mud for valuable items just to survive. Jim is
betrayed by a boy he thought was his friend, because he
was so desperate for money. These represent the
'hidden' side of Victorian Britain and the consequences
of the great wealth and expansion of the empire.
LANGUAGE AND MEANING
The language used for the narration of the story is fairly simple, allowing the
narrative to flow gently and to be easy to understand. Characters speak
differently, as they come from a Victorian world. The way a character talks,
and the language he or she uses, indicates their place in society. In Victorian
times, there were much greater gaps between different social classes,
reflected in their speech and accents. For example, Sally speaks very properly,
without using colloquialisms, in a similar manner to Frederick and Rosa. This
reflects the fact that they were all born into wealthy, respectable families.
Sally seems to be rich middle class, and Frederick and Rosa probably have a
similar background. In contrast to this is Jim, who speaks with a cockney
accent that is indicated phonetically in the writing. For example, the writer
drops h's in Jim's speech to show that Jim is also dropping his h's. Jim uses a
lot of colloquialisms, slang and abbreviations. He has never been taught to
speak with received pronunciation as the richer members of society are, and
he has obviously picked up a lot from the streets. Trembler and Adelaide also
speak in a similar manner, although their accents do not seem to be as
extreme as Jim's.
Other characters speak in a manner that indicates their intellect or level of
education. Jim's accent might be working class, but he is sharp and quick and
his speech indicates this. Mr. Berry and Mr. Hopkins, however, barely speak at
all, and when they do their speech seems slower and less thought out. This
indicates that they are men of muscle rather than brains; they are Mrs.
Holland's hired thugs who are there to beat people up but not to contribute
much else.
All of this helps to conjure a sense of atmosphere and makes Pullman's world
more realistic.
STRUCTURE
The book is split into fairly short chapters that move the story along very
quickly. The story is fast-paced and exciting, with plenty of action amid the
talking. Scenes shift very quickly between different characters, adding to the
fast, slightly frenzied feel. The reader gets the impression that events are
moving very quickly and that Sally will have to keep up or risk getting into
even deeper danger. The mystery itself is introduced in the first chapter, but is
only revealed in tiny little bits of information constantly throughout the novel.
This helps to keep the reader's interest and anticipation up. Some events and
people are introduced with very little explanation, which seems confusing at
first. The end of the book ties all these strands together, however, bringing
light to various things that are said or done. This makes it an interesting
experience to re-read the story even though the reader now knows exactly
what is going to happen.
Important quotations throughout the novel which could be used for your final assessment:
SALLY’S CHARACTER TRAITS - "She was
learning that if she pretended to be
weak and frightened, and dabbed at
her eyes with a lacy handkerchief, she
could turn aside all manner of pressing
questions"(Chapter 2, The Web. p. 14).
FREDERICK’S CHARACTER TRAITS -
"...talking to Frederick, and listening to
him, seemed the most natural and
agreeable thing in the world - but she
found herself, once seated facing him
across a table set with cutlery and
napkins and glasses, absurdly tongue-
tied" (Chapter 9, A Journey to Oxford.
p. 78).
THEME OF MYSTERY - "there was a
legend that the evil of the stone would
persist until it was laid to rest by a
woman who was its equal" (Chapter 9,
p. 83).
FREDERICK’S CHARACTER TRAITS - "It
was easier to think about Frederick.
Such a mixture of lazy flippancy and
passionate anger, of Bohemian
carelessness and dedicated
perfectionism! Frederick was a topic to
fascinate any psychologist" (Chapter
16, p. 157).
THEME OF GENDER ROLES - "She felt
somehow that the pretence of
helplessness, which worked so well
with other men, would not take him in
for a moment. That was why she had
offered to pay him: she wanted to
meet him on equal terms" (Chapter 3,
The Gentleman of Kent. p. 32).
THEME OF RITES-OF-PASSAGE FROM
CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD - "Their
shouts and laughter made her feel cold
and deprived; where had her
childhood gone? And yet only an hour
or two earlier she had felt on fire with
embarrassment because she was a
child, and had none of the ease of an
adult" (Chapter 9, A Journey to Oxford.
p. 82).
SALLY’S CHARACTER TRAITS - "I know
so little! I don't even know how to talk
to people. And what I do know is so...I
don't know how to put it. It's just not
the sort of things that girls know"
(Chapter 11, The Stereographic
Repertory Company. p. 97).
SALLY’S CHARACTER TRAITS - "Her
heart was beating fast. What she felt
for Frederick was so confused and
powerful that she couldn't begin to
articulate it" (Chapter 17, p. 163).
THEME OF CLASS - "Her upbringing
had given her an independence of
mind that made her more like a girl of
today than one of her own time -
which was why she had walked out,
and why she was not daunted by the
prospect of being alone" (Chapter 8,
The Passions of Art. p. 63).
CONTEXT/MOOD/ATMOSPHERE -
"these quiet houses and leafy gardens
seemed to be on a different planet
from the darkness and mystery and
sudden death she was returning to"
(Chapter 9, p. 82).
SALLY’S CHARACTER TRAITS - "Sally
wanted to help; she was full of
impulses of kindness, but did not know
how to express them" (Chapter 12, p.
117).
THEME OF CLASS AND STATUS - "They
don't think of Trembler as a servant.
And they don't think of me as a girl.
We're all equal. That's what's so odd"
(Chapter 8, The Passions of Art. p. 75).
CONTEXT - "She would have given
anything to be able to forget London
and Mrs. Holland and the Seven
Blessings, and to live in one of these
large, comfortable houses, with
children and animals and bonfires and
lessons and games...Perhaps even now
it wasn't too late to become a
governess, or a nurse or...But it was.
Her father had died, and something
was wrong, and there was no one but
her to set it right" (Chapter 9, p. 82).
NARRATIVE DEVELOPMENT - "She
knew she could learn more - but at the
cost of another journey into the
Nightmare. And she couldn't pay that;
not yet. It was so ironic. Because for
the first time she had friends, and a
home, and a purpose" (Chapter 16, p.
157).
 Additional Help Sheet
Language devices Sentence starters
Metaphor Emotive language Pullman uses first person narration to show how
Sally is…
Simile Contextual detail
Personification Pullman employs emotive language in the
Variety of sentence structures following scene in order to show…
Symbolism Rhetorical questions
The repeated use of descriptive contextual detail
First person narration Statistics about the Victorian era illustrates that…
Dialogue Powerful verbs and adjectives

Helpful connectives and sentence starters you could use:

Firstly Similarly In contrast However
On the other hand The effect of this The writer’s purpose is This shows that
choice is
In conclusion One might argue that This illustrates that This highlights that
Consequently As a result This gives the Therefore
impression that

Helpful mid-sentence connectives to

shows illustrates depicts emphasises
connotes represents contrasts gives the impression
points out proves conveys portrays
links defines expresses differs
 Assessment Focus Areas In Detail
AF2: Understanding and using quotations
Developing I can identify most relevant points clearly, including those from different places in the text and my
comments are generally supported by relevant evidence.
Secure I identify relevant points clearly, including summary and synthesis of information incorporating apt textual
reference and evidence.
Exceeding Precise selection and use of quotations and using wider knowledge to develop your argument.
AF3: Inferring
Developing I can develop explanation of inferred meanings based on textual evidence.
Secure My comments are securely based in textual evidence and identify layers of meaning, with some attempts
at detailed explanation.
Exceeding Develop an interpretation by considering the relative importance of different pieces of evidence, even
exploring what is left unsaid.
AF5: Language
Developing I can identify a range of language techniques and add some explanation of their effect on the reader .
Secure Detailed analysis, with correct terminology, of how language is used and some analysis of its overall effect
on the reader.
Exceeding Develop a precise and perceptive analysis of how language is used and appreciate how language choices
contribute towards the overall effect on the reader.
AF7: Context
Developing I can explain how the text relates to its context.
Secure Some detailed discussion of how the context of the text is linked to its meaning.
Exceeding A thoughtful analysis of how the context of the text links to how it was written and/or how it is interpreted
by the reader.