Welcome
A Shady Plot.... .... by Elsie Brown
What’s in the Title? • “Plot” may mean – • A small piece of ground. • A ground plan. • Storyline – the plan, scheme or main story. • A secret plan for something illegal. “Shady” may mean – • Full of shade; shaded. • Casting shade. • Quiet, dark or concealed. • Of dubious character or of questionable honesty.
Part 1 : John Hallock’s Assignment
Hallock, Give us another on the supernatural this time. Something to give them the horrors! Precisely!
How am I going to cure her of her alarming tendency to take up every new fad? Yes… I should say it is! This writing business is delightful, isn’t it?
Recap… • Why was Hallock getting cocky/arrogant? • What was Hallock’s specialization? So, I had said, “Precisely!” in the deepest voice I was capable of, …(Hallock) • Why does Hallock use his ‘deepest voice’? What does it signify? • Whose voice do you think it is (the one at the end)?
Part 2 : Conversation with the Ghost
Nothing. Absolutely nothing, my dear lady. I was merely waiting for you to tell me why you had come. What are you gaping at?
The Writer’s Inspiration Bureau
Recap… • Was Hallock really a specialist in ghost stories? • Why were the ghosts going on a strike? • In place of Ouija boards, what other means can be used to ‘communicate’ with ghosts? • From her description, do you think the ghost was beautiful or ugly? Substantiate your answer
Part 3 : Conversation with Wife
You Know I bought the loveliest thing this afternoon. It… it isn’t… You’d never guess in the world. It’s the duckiest, darlingest Ouija Board, and so cheap! I got it at a bargain sale.
Recap… • What was John Hallock’s affliction? • Why had Lavinia bought the Ouija Board? • Why couldn’t she return it? “…or William the Conqueror, or Helen of Troy--well, maybe not Helen—anyhow…” • Why not Helen of Troy? What does this show about the nature of Lavinia?
Part 4 : The Next Day
Recap… • Why didn’t Hallock become a full time writer? • Why do you think the house was brightly illuminated? A little extra … • Gladolia, the narrator’s cook, is an African. The language/her pronunciation is different from others. This is known as Dialect. A dialect consists of words and phrases that reflect the regional variety of a language.
Part 5 : The Ouija Party
John! John, dear, I know you will help us out. Poor Laura Hinkle is without a partner. Laura can’t work a Ouija by herself, and she’ll have a bad time unless you… Me! Me! I won’t……
Part 6 : The Trouble Begins
Ouija, dear, won't you tell us something? T R A I T O R Ouija, dear, won't you explain yourselfmore fully? A S K H I M Ask who, Ouija J O H N H A L L O C K Ouija, won‘t you tell us who is talking? H E L E N
Recap… • Who do you think ‘Helen’ is? • Why was John reluctant to join Laura in the party? • Why was Helen calling John a traitor? • How did John’s affliction worsen the situation?
A Little Grammar… “…and lay there in the burning dark while the…”, “I stared at them in a sort of dreadful fascination.” • What figure of speech is being used in the above sentences? • What do you mean by sarcasm? • When confronted by Lavinia about his flirtations over the Ouija Board, John insists that 'the affair was quite above-board, I assure you, my love'. Bring out the pun in John's statement.
Part 7 : The Final Day
Dear John, I am going back to my grandmother. My lawyer will communicate with you later.
I have come to tell you I am leaving. Oh, yes, yes! That’s fine…great! So you want me to go away, do you? Sure, yes… right away! Change of air will do you good. I’ll join you presently.
Recap… • Why didn’t John want his wife to see the ghost? • Why was Lavinia leaving the house? • What does Lavinia mean when she says that her ‘Lawyer will communicate’ with John?
Recap… • As soon as she saw who the ghost was, why did she forgive John? • “I've got the bulliest plot for a ghost story!” What do you think the plot was? • “In the end, all the main characters of the story had a happy ending” Substantiate the statement. • Now, does your understanding of the Title change?
That’s all Folks…! Meetu
