SHORT STORIES

(CONFLICT AND CLIMAX /

ENDINGS / UNIVERSAL THEMES)

Term 2 Week 2
Learning Objective:
 Understand how writers develop their stories

 Understand how writers create an effective ending for a short

story
 To show understanding of how meaning is constructed through
words, sentences and whole texts, recognising the effects of
language choices and patterns and of presentation.
 Analyse in depth and detail writer’s use of literary, rhetorical
and grammatical features and their effects.
 Develop interpretation of text, supporting points with detailed
evidence.
 Establish and sustain distinctive character, point of view and
voice in their fiction writing.
Success Criteria:
 I can explore and analyse a range of interpretations of language
and structure as appropriate.
 I can evaluate the texts and interpret ideas, events, setting, and
themes differently according to the perspective of the reader.
Starter
 Students think of a film or TV show they recently watched.
What was the conflict which the character encountered?
Example;
 Physical [the hero’s life in danger]

 Supernatural [inexplicable events threatened]

 Emotional [a family bereavement]

Activity-1
Read the development of ‘Forbidden Clothes’. Page 65-68
1. Look at lines 1-181[Pg 65-66] of ‘Forbidden Clothes’ [ending with ‘ran
over to join her boyfriend’].
a. What difference does the writer highlight between Nasreen and Louise?
b. How does Nasreen change herself to be more like Louise?
c. What does this suggest about the differences which divide their two
cultures?
2. Re-read lines 182- 204[page 66], when Nasreen phones her mum.
a. Identify interrogative sentences used by the writer. What does this suggest
about their relationship and Mrs. Khan’s feelings at this point?
3. Look again at the way the writer describes Mrs. Khan’s thoughts and
feelings. Explore your impression of Mrs. Khan in this part of the story.
a. Look at lines 308-354[page 68], which give a description of Mr. Khan.
Identify three words and phrases used by the writer to show his
character.
4. Why do you think Mrs. Khan gave up English Lessons after Nasreen ran
Activity-2
1. a) Write a sentence or two describing the conflict the characters face
in forbidden clothes.
b) Look back at page 64 to the different kinds of conflicts that write a
sometimes use. What kind of conflict has Jamila Gavin used in
forbidden clothes?
2. a) Write a sentence or two, describing the climax in the story.
3. Did the climax come as a surprise to you?
a) What are the six or seven events in which the writer traces Nasreen’s
conflict to its climax?
b) How does the writer use these to build the tension and the reader’s
interest in the story?
4. How do you think this story will be resolved?
Activity-3
Evaluation AO4 – (15 Marks) Classwork
In this extract, the writer presents the character of Nasreen.
Evaluate how successfully this is achieved.
In your answer you should:
 write about ideas, events, themes or settings in the text

 give your opinion on how well these expose the character

 include examples from the text to support your answer

Activity-4
Read the ending of ‘Forbidden Clothes’.- Pg 71
 Do you think the ending was effective?

 How does the ending change their reaction to the main

characters in this story-in particular Nasreen?