Junk Melvin Burgess

*To be able infer and deduce.

The BlurbJUNK = HEROIN = BLISS = DESPAIR =

A LOVE AFFAIR YOU’LL NEVER FORGET

Tar loves Gemma, but Gemma doesn’t want to be tied down – not to anyone or anything.

Gemma wants to fly. But no one can fly forever.One day, somehow, finally, you have to come

down.1. What is your reaction to this blurb?2. When it was first released this novel caused a lot of controversy. Why do you think this novel caused such controversy?3. What interests you about the blurb?

The Front Cover

1. Sketch the front cover.2. What interests you most about the front

cover?3. What do you think the main themes of the

novel are? How does the front cover convey these?

The First Chapter

1. Read the first chapter of the novel.2. Why is Tar leaving home? 3. What suggests he has not had an easy childhood

so far? (use a PEE paragraph for this answer)4. What is your opinion of Tar? (use a PEE

paragraph for this answer)5. Who is Gemma?6. What is your opinion of Gemma so far? (use a

PEE paragraph for this answer)

Point Evidence (quote) Explanation

Objectives:*To be able to comment on a character using evidence from the text

‘Junk’ by Melvin Burgess

What does the title tell us?• Create a spider diagram of all the associations

you have with the word JUNK

Key Themes

• Homelessness• Teen Runaways• Parents and Children• Teenage pregnancy• Drug abuse

Split Narrative• ‘Junk’ is a split narrative novel.• This means that a number of different

characters tell a section of the story.• Some characters narrate larger sections than

others.• Split narratives allow the author to build

relationships between the reader and a number of different characters.

Coursework Essay Question

• How effective is Burgess in demonstrating the negative effects of drugs through the character of Gemma in ‘Junk’?

Who is Gemma?

• Complete a spider diagram (or similar) detailing everything we have learnt about Gemma in the opening chapters.

Who is Gemma?

• After reading the opening chapters of the novel what is your opinion of Gemma?

• Write 2-3 paragraphs explaining what your opinion of Gemma is.

• You must use quotes from the opening chapters to support your points.

Who is Tar?

• Complete a spider diagram (or similar) detailing everything we have learnt about Tar in the opening three chapters.

‘Junk’

Objective:*To understand the social context of the novel

Why do you think Burgess used lyrics from this song in one of the opening

chapters about Gemma?

Questions1. What government were in power during the

1980’s?2. What were the biggest news stories in 1985?3. How long did the Minor Strike last?4. Why was Punk, Anarchy and Squatting so

common in the 80’s?5. What were Yuppies?6. What was the new musical influence from

America?7. What were the biggest selling songs / artists

of the 80’s?

Drugs

Objective:*To be able comment on the portrayal of drugs

in the novel ‘Junk’*To be able to comment on the character

Tar’s Experience

• Read the extracts from ‘Junk’ on the worksheet you have been given.

• Complete the 6 tasks.

Lily

Chapter 14 – Pages 186 – 191

• Why is Lily a negative influence on Gemma?– Write two to three PEE paragraphs explaining the

negative effect Lily has on Gemma and how this changes Gemma.

Who’s Who & What’s Going On?

Objective:*To be able to comment on the plot and

structure of the novel ‘Junk’*To understand the relationship of the different

characters in the novel

Who’s Who?• Complete the

character web.

Gemma

Tar

Jerry

Richard

Lily

Rob

Skolly

Vonny

Mr Brogan

Tar’s Dad

Nega

tive

influ

ence

on

Gem

ma

Who’s Who• Introduces them to Tar• Negative influence on Gemma• Boyfriend• Newsagent who helps out• Helps Tar find somewhere to live• Shares first squat with Gemma /Tries to help Gemma • Introduces Richard to Tar• Boyfriend• Takes advantage of Tar / Negative Influence on Tar /

Girlfriend• His strict rules push Gemma away• Violent towards Tar and forces him to run away• Richard invites them to the party where they meet Gemma• Shares the first squat with Gemma• Shares the first squat with Tar / Tries to look after him

Plot LinePlace the following events on the plot line.• Gemma and her parents keep arguing.• Gemma and Tar become hooked on heroine.• Tar spends a week sleeping rough in Bristol.• Gemma and Lily turn to prostitution to fund their drug habit.• Gemma runs away to join Tar.• Gemma gets herself ‘punkified’• Tar meets Richard, Jerry and Vonny and moves into the

Squat.• Vonny tells Gemma to go home.• At the party Gemma meets Lily and Rob.• Gemma moves in with Lily and Rob.• Tar moves in with Gemma, Lily and Rob.