Flowers of War: Margaret's Evacuation in the Highlands
In the short story "Flowers" by Robin Jenkins, set during World War Two in the Highlands of Scotland, Margaret experiences the challenges of war, loss of innocence, and isolation after being evacuated. The title serves as a metaphor, hinting at deeper themes within the narrative. Through the characters like Margaret and Miss Laing, the story explores the impact of war on individuals in a remote setting, creating a poignant atmosphere that reflects both beauty and danger.
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Starter For the first 5 mins, write down: What a good short story should include How a writer can hook a reader Why a title of a short story is important
Flowers by Robin Jenkins National 5
Introduction Flowers is a powerful short story by Robin Jenkins. It deals with the key themes of war, the loss of innocence and isolation. This story is set during World War Two in the Highlands of Scotland. The central character is Margaret, who has been uprooted from her home in the city and has been evacuated to a remote area in the Highlands.
Group discussion What do you know about?: WW2 The Highlands of Scotland Evacuation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJKk4sFTRM Y
Title The title of the story is the beginning of two extended metaphors in the story. 1. 2. What does the title suggest? Read through the text again. What references can you find to flowers? underline or highlight and label them. 3. What do flowers represent in the story? How do you know?
Setting 1. Where is the story set? How do we know this? 2. What atmosphere is created throughout the text? Does the atmosphere change? Which words show this? 3. Go through your text and highlight any words or phrases which help to create atmosphere and setting. Analyse and explain these and what they suggest.
Setting Write a paragraph about the importance of setting in the short story. 1. The beauty of the setting and the atmosphere created. 2. The dangers suggested through the setting. 3. The corruption of the setting in the end.
Characters Margaret Margaret is our main character. 1. How do you feel about Margaret in the beginning of the story? 2. Which words/phrases lead you to feeling like this? Highlight and annotate these in your story. 3. Do your feelings towards Margaret change at any point in the story? Where does this happen?
Characters Miss Laing Miss Laing is a very minor character but she plays an important role in the theme of war. 1. Why is there significance placed on her white- haired enthusiasm ? 2. What do you think Miss Laing represents? (hint: it is a feature of war time)
Key scene - adder Halfway through the story Margaret encounters an adder. Although this seems an odd incident inserted for no reason, it serves a purpose in building the author s theme of the effects of war. Look at the description of the adder. Who or what could it represent?
Key scene - adder 1. Margaret attacks the adder, despite it posing no danger to her at all. Why does Jenkins make her do this? 2. What is Miss Laing s role in this incident? 3. How do we feel about Margaret after this event? 4. Why does Jenkins include this event?
Yellow flower This occurs after Margaret s encounter with the adder. Why does the author remind us of the idea that Margaret is harmless and lonely right after this incident? This is a key scene in the discussion of Margaret s innocence and its subsequent destruction. It is also important to note when looking at the significance of the ending.
The ending The ending is probably the most important scene in the story. It is here that Jenkins sums up his themes and his message is revealed. In the ending: Margaret loses her innocence The dead soldiers are described The setting becomes corrupted How do each of these link to theme?
Theme effects of war So far we have covered the title, the setting, the character of Miss Laing, the adder and the ending. Each of these sections relates in part or in whole to the theme of war and its effects. However, we need to add some information for some of these.
Theme effects of war The setting We have already discussed the setting of the story and we know that Jenkins paints an idyllic picture of life in the countryside throughout the majority of his story. 1. Look at the planes at the beginning. How does this impact on the setting and convey the effects of war?
Theme effects of war - Ending How is the this theme dealt with in the ending of the story? Annotate your story to show this.
Theme effects of war Look at the other elements (title, character, ending, adder). Write a short paragraph for each, using quotation where necessary, detailing how it connects to the theme of war.
Theme loss of innocence The second and final theme is Margaret s loss of innocence. Jenkins uses this to comment on the effect and dangers of wartime and how it affects everyone, no matter who or where you are.
Theme loss of innocence Throughout the story Margaret is painted as a huffy but na ve young girl who does not realise the dangers she faces because of war. She does what she is told by Miss Laing, regarding the adder, and her realisation of what that means as well as her discovery of the soldiers removes this naivety and she loses her innocence.
Revision notes task Create a revision poster for one section of the story. Sections: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. All should include: Link to theme Illustration to represent section Key quotations and analysis for text Be eye-catching and memorable (so it is easily recalled to mind) Well organised and neat Setting Character of Margaret Character of Miss Laing Flowers as soldiers Flowers as Margaret s innocence Adder incident Interruption/corruption of war Ending
Possible essay topics Setting in time or place Theme loss of innocence Theme horrors of war Character development Conflict Use of Symbolism Childhood Key scene Climax Creating tension Human nature Facing difficulties Effective opening Effective ending
