Starter: The quote is from chapter 4 It is the older Arthur, looking back at his younger self. What do you think is implied by the quote? ‘Innocence, once lost, is lost forever’. Lesson Objective: To show understanding of the writer’s storytelling techniques How effective have the opening chapters been so far? • How has Susan Hill engaged you as a reader? • How much do we know about Arthur? Do we want to know more? • Which character is most interesting? • Do you have a question about the text you’d like to ask Susan Hill? More clues: • • • • I felt like a spectre A pair of gloomy ravens Drabness Had I known that my untroubled night of good sleep was to be the last that I was to enjoy for so many terrifying, racked and weary nights to come… • I do not believe I have ever again slept so well as I did that night in the inn • I was still all in a state of innocence, but that innocence, once lost, is lost forever Contrasts • In contrast to the FOREBODING which was evident in chapter 3 we have lots of descriptions which convey Arthur’s sense of calm and happiness in chapter 4 • ‘There was a touch of warmth in the autumn sunshine’ • ‘The air was fresh, crisp and clear’ • ‘By contrast with the fog of London, and the wind and rain of the previous evening’s journey up here, the weather was quite altered...’ The Woman in Black • Pick out three descriptions of The Woman in Black (p49) • What is the significance of the line ‘when I looked up again, I saw a blackbird on the hollybush a few feet away…’? • What is important about the way Mr Jerome reacts to the ‘young woman’? (PEE) Writer’s Craft • So, finally we have met the ‘Woman in Black’ • Why did Susan Hill wait so long to introduce the ghost? • How did she build up our expectations and suspense in the first 3 and a half chapters?