Part 1

Attached is a lesson which explores how the writer creates a sinister atmosphere within the opening of the book. This could easily be spread into 2 lessons as it’s worth pausing on so many lovely lines.

Also attached is chapter 1 of the book with footnotes explaining problematic words.

1. Students to predict plot based on film/TV promo images.

2. Blurb focus - quick discussion about what this tells us.

3. Students are to read chapter 1 as a class. An activity is presented - worksheet also attached - where students have been key lines from the descriptions of Manderley from chapter 1. Students are asked to colour code the devices - simile, metaphor and personification. Hyperbole, Pathetic Fallacy and symbolism are also mentioned. There is a challenge task.

4. Plenary - questions we have for the narrator.

Part 2

Structure Steal - a creative writing task.

There is a Powerpoint and worksheet explaining how students can use the structure of one of DuMaurier’s key descriptive paragraphs and make alterations to it to make it their own. Parts of it have been redacted to allow students to add their own creative perspective - there is a Gothic style image that they must base it on so it’s still relevant to the Gothic unit.

My class planning and teacher example in on the presentation for you to get an idea of what direction to guide them in.