Understanding "Mary Moon and the Stars": Character Analysis and Themes
Dive into the world of the short story "Mary Moon and the Stars" by Janice Galloway as we explore the character of Mary Moon, her fascination with the stars, themes of bullying, neglect, and friendship. Delve into the informal language used, the caring and unsupportive nature of the narrator, and the significance of the stars in Mary's life. Uncover how these themes intertwine with the storyline through spider diagrams and quotes.
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Mary Moon and the Stars Janice Galloway National 5 Short Story
Today we will Understand the overall ideas contained in the short story Mary Moon and the Stars . Understand the character of Mary Moon.
Reading through the short story As we read through the beginning of the story as a class think about what Mary Moon looks like and how she acts. Extension: Why does she act the way she does?
Character Map Draw a stick figure in the middle of your jotter this will represent Mary Moon Around the figure write down quotes from the story that describe what kind of a character she is: think about what she looks like how she acts how others treat her
Why do you think Mary is interested in the stars? Why are they so significant that the story is named after her?
Questions to answer 1. In your own words summarise what has happened in Mary Moon and the Stars. Make at least 5 key points (5) 2. Identify 2 examples of informal language in the story (2) 3. Think about the narrator in the story: a. How and why is the narrator shown to be caring and supportivein the story? (3) b. How and why is the narrator shown to be unpleasant in the story? (3)
Themes Bullying A theme is an idea linked to the story as a whole Neglect Friendship
Themes Using the three themes I have given you, create 3 spider diagrams on how you think the themes link to the story. Use quotations to back up your thinking.
Themes: Bullying She sat in the middle of a yellow puddle and cried while the rest of us kept clear. I don't know who finally went for the teacher but it wasn't me. She is obviously upset, but no one will help her. it wasn t me the narrator doesn t want to take responsibility for her. She sat next to George Dickie who kept nipping folk. There were always marks on her arms. Not even the teacher is stopping her from being physically hurt by others. She doesn t seem to stand up for herself either. Mary Moon was an undesirable Others treat Mary as if she is in a different caste or social standing than them.
Themes: Neglect She had specs with elasticated legs and her socks sometimes didn't match. Her skin was see-through and she smelled like a cat's cushion. She clearly isn t being looked after at home not being told to watch or having someone check that her clothes are tidy. I suppose I was scared of the rings under her eyes, her fingernails always needing cut. I told myself she wouldn't come anyway and just didn't bother. She isn t getting the rest she needs No one is looking after her properly fingernails neglected The narrator is afraid of how she looks, but doesn t want to help her.
Themes: Friendship I gave her my gloves and she put them on She starts to care about her well-being I knew really it had nothing to do with being busy. Mary Moon was doing ok. She didn't need reminders of before, and I was part of before. I knew things about Mary she didn't want to know herself. I was sad about that but it was ok. The narrator cares about Mary she is sad that she knows she won t want to be reminded of the past
Answering an analysis question What is the question asking you to do or find? a. b. What point are you trying to get across? Which quotation do you need to use to begin to explain your ideas? What does the quotation suggest? c.
1. Think about the character of the narrator. When is the narrator: a. kind and caring towards Mary Moon? [3] b. unpleasant towards Mary Moon? [3] 2. Explain the relationships between the narrator and: a. Mary Moon [3] b. Grandmother (the narrator s granny ) [3] 3. What does the way the narrator speaks in the story say about her upbringing and childhood? [6] 4. The story centres around the themes of neglect and friendship. How are both of these themes shown in the story? [6] 5. How does the character of Mary Moon change throughout the story? [9]
Critical Essay Question Introduction: TART (title, author and brief statement about issues of the text, refer to essay task, techniques you will talk about. Summary paragraph 3-4 SEAL paragraphs (statement, evidence, analysis, link) Conclusion: Restate the task and summarise the answer you have given. Choose a novel or a short story in which the author creates a fascinating character. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has created this character and why you found him/her so fascinating.
Finally What have you achieved today? What do you know about the story of Mary Moon and the Stars so far? Do you have any questions?
