“The Lighthouse” By Agnes Owens Notes Ian Yule

Short Story Features (Genre) One Main Character-Megan, aged 10 One Main Setting-The Beach / Lighthouse (link to title) One main issue / theme-Neglect / Danger / Childhood / Innocence lost/Abuse A twist in the tale-It is ironic that in a place of safety something so horrible should happen to children. A Lighthouse warns of mortal danger but cannot save these children from their fate.

One main character Megan aged 10 In conflict with her brother Bobby Put in a situation where she will fail (a child looking after a child) – her flaw is her resentment The reader is sympathetic to Megan because she is a child, but we become ambivalent because she is not a pleasant child

One main setting The writer establishes the action in a small local area that we can easily identify and associate with, it is pleasant so that the horror and violence will stand out by contrast It is a microcosm – in this small area a huge social issue will be explored and discussed

One main issue - theme Several potential questions / issues can be addressed from this story - what point(s) does Agnes Owens want us to take from her story? Neglect The parents neglect the children The children neglect to follow their parents’ instructions Megan neglected her brother The woman neglects to intervene The man in grey neglects to behave appropriately with children

Other possible themes Danger (stranger danger) Childhood Loss of innocence – these are not perfect children in a perfect world Abuse (verbal, physical, sexual)

Twist It is ironic that in a place of pleasure, a beach, and safety, a lighthouse, that something so unpleasant and dangerous should happen.

Narrative technique Third person narrative (story is told by an omniscient narrator) It is important that we are told what happens to Megan and Bobby – if in first person narrative we would not get this information Evaluation – would the story have been more moving if Megan had told it?

Foreshadowing The writer uses foreshadowing. On a second reading the reader can see that the writer left clues that foreshadow the events at the end of the story. During the first reading, these clues serve to increase the tension in the story. The reader can sense that something bad will happen. Foreshadowing is when the writer hints at what is going to happen later in the story.

Example “I hope a monster doesn’t get you” This foreshadows Bobby being abducted by the man from the golf course. In the quotation, Megan is referring to a fictitious monster and is using it to scare and manipulate Bobby so he will do what she wants. However, the monster that does get Bobby is real and he also forces Bobby to do things he doesn’t want to.

Examples for you to analyse: “…she was forced to put her hand over his mouth” This foreshadows… “She felt like strangling him…” This foreshadows… “Better watch out that you don’t get hit with a golf ball. It’s not safe up here”. This foreshadows… “Suddenly her attention was riveted to what looked like a body in the water.” This foreshadows…

The Pathetic Fallacy (adds atmosphere) “The day was warm but with a bit of wind” “The sea was stormy now with the waves lashing over the rocks” “The sun came down and she was gone with the tide”

Symbolism-The Lighthouse The lighthouse is fundamental aspect of the story and is symbolic of impending danger. How many different examples can you find from the text that supports this opinion? Copy the table below into your jotter.

Quote from text Explanation ‘Let’s go somewhere else,’ said Megan to her brother Bobby playing on the beach with his pail and spade. ‘Let’s go to the lighthouse.’ ‘I don’t want to,’ he said, without looking up. The fact that the story opens with an instantaneous reference to the lighthouse tells the reader that this will be a significant aspect of the story. We are aware that they are currently in a different location; they haven’t yet ventured to the lighthouse, therefore the characters, nor the reader, are sure of what the lighthouse will have in store for the characters. The brother’s protests against going also suggest it is perhaps not a favourable place to visit.

Irony The writer uses irony. If the characters knew the full facts, they would act differently. When everything becomes clear, the reader wishes different actions had been taken. This creates a sense of irony. It is ironic that she teases him about imaginary monsters just before they both fall foul of a stranger. The stranger warns them of danger. Ironically he is the greatest danger they face, despite being alone on a rocky beach. Megan says, “I don’t want to see you again”.