Lesson 25 — Activity 1: Chapters 1 and 2 (pages 9 – 19)


Before proceeding with this activity, please read the first two chapters of the novel (pages 9 – 19). Remember to think about the strategies you can use as you read.


In Lesson 24 — A1, you reviewed the basics about the elements of a novel: plot, setting, characters, point of view, and theme of the story.

Now that you have read the first two chapters of this novel, let’s take a closer look at the elements of characters and setting.

You were introduced to quite a few characters in the opening chapters.

Characters:
At the opening of Chapter 1, you were introduced to Rennie (Renata) as she fights with her younger brother, Robbie. We then met her Papa, who seems to be strict but loving. Rennie then goes to school, where we met her friend, Julie McLean. Rennie and Julie seem to be close friends and make plans to play together after school. We also learned that Rennie's older brother, Rick (Riccardo), has earned a university scholarship and Julie's older brother, Tom, is serving in the Canadian army in Europe. This led to some conflict between the girls!


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Setting:
Where the story is taking place and when was revealed further in the first two chapters. As you continue to read, you will come to realize whether or not setting is important to this story or whether it is universal.

As well, as you continue reading, you will discover if the setting changes and if this is important to the story taking place.

Setting:
You have found that the novel was set in 1940. World War II (also called the Second World War) had been underway for less than a year at this point. Its influence was felt to various extents by various families in the community of Whitney Pier. Some families had sons fighting in the Canadian army; others appear to be less affected by the war.


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The second chapter of the novel showed you more about Rennie and her friend Julie and the differences between the two families.

The author also used foreshadowing in this chapter.

Foreshadowing:
  • is a technique that writers use to give hints about events that are to happen later in the story

Examples of Foreshadowing:

  • Scary settings: dark and stormy night
  • Dialogue: "I wouldn't do that..."
  • Feelings: "She didn't feel quite right."

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Chapter 2 began with some foreshadowing that something unusual or unexpected might happen. Mrs. McLean, Julie's mother, said that Rennie would have to go home after the girls picked up a pie at Rennie's father's bakery for Mr. McLean's birthday. Although it was early and the girls had not been playing for long, we are left wondering why this has happened.

In Chapter 2, you also had your first look at the Trani family's bakery, and you saw more of Rennie's father. He seemed to be very happy and friendly at work in the bakery. When he gave Julie a bottle of homemade wine for her father, Rennie was shy about sharing the Italian tradition of stomping grapes for wine with Julie. Julie found that idea very gross!



You also learned that Julie's father, like Rennie's brother Serge and most of the other men in the town, works in the local coal mine.

Finally, the chapter ends with more foreshadowing that something unusual is about to happen. Rennie saw her neighbour, Sgt. MacPhee of the RCMP, going into the bakery with another police officer.


Complete the activities that follow and then continue and read Chapters 3 and 4 of the novel.


While reading, begin the Vocabulary Activity:

As you read the first half of the novel (Chapters 1 to 8), list words that are unfamiliar to you but are interesting and worth learning. Look for at least 10 words and remember to note their page number. You may use the Vocabulary Log to record your words.

You will complete an assignment on these words in a later activity.