Post on 27-Oct-2014
description
The curse
By
Lee Su Ann
The curse
ABOUT THE NOVEL
In “The Curse” by Lee Su Ann, Azreen takes
time off from her studies in London, UK, to return
to her village in one of the legendary islands of
Langkawi. She returns to mourn the loss of her
older sister, Madhuri.
However, she finds out via rumours and loud
whispers that Madhuri was murdered. At her
village Azreen has to contend with a cold-
hearted father and support an Alzheimer
stricken mother.
ABOUT THE NOVEL
Azreen is subjected to negative comments and
suspicion from her neighbours. She finds
consolation in the company of the Old Lady, an
outcast of the village.
Although the grand Old Lady is educated and
knowledgeable, the villagers shun her because
she had murdered her abusive husband.
ABOUT THE NOVEL
Azreen has to confront the mystery that
shrouds her sister's sudden death under
suspicious circumstances.
Bit by bit, the mysterious death of Madhuri
is revealed to Azreen.
Plot Summary
Chapter 1:
The news of the death of Madhuri.
Chapter 2:
Flashback of Azreen’s early days with Madhuri.
Chapter 3:
Azreen’s arrival & Rumours about the death of Madhuri.
Chapter 4:
Madhuri’s Funeral.
(cont..)
Chapter 5:
The meeting with Mohd Asraf (Azreen enquires about her sister’s death)
Awang, (the Bomoh) and Encik Mohan’s chicken farm fiasco.
Chapter 6:
The murder cover up.
Puan Fatihah’s recollection of her husband’s infatuation with Madhuri.
The incident that had caused Azreen’s mother to become paralysed.
(cont..)
Chapter 7:
Mohd Asraf struggles with Nek’s deteriorating health.
The discovery of Madhuri’s letter.
Chapter 8:
The death of Azreen’s mother.
Mohd Asraf’s visit to the Old Lady’s house.
(cont..)
Chapter 9:
The mob at Mohd Asraf’s house
Nek’s health recovery.
Chapter 10:
The death of Nek.
The avengance of Nek’s death
The fire at the Old Lady’s house
Mohd Asraf’s confession about his affair.
The disclosure of Madhuri’s secret by Awang.
(cont..)
Chapter 11:
The truth behind Madhuri’s death
The death of Saleh
Chapter 12:
Azreen’s final respect at the burial site.
PLOT STRUCTURE
EXPOSITION – Azreen takes time off her studies to attend Madhuri’s funeral only to discover rumours shrouding her sister’s death. Everyone believes that Madhuri’s death will cast a curse upon them.
CONFLICT/ RISING ACTION- Strange things occurred on Azreen.
CLIMAX – Suspicions are fuelled by superstition.
Cont…
FALLING ACTION- Mohd Asraf admits about his affair with Madhuri and confesses about their plan to leave Langkawi.
RESOLUTION- Azreen found out the truth behind Madhuri’s death.
CHARACTERS
Main Characters
Azreen Bomoh (Awang) Madhuri Fatihah Mohd Asraf Saleh Abdullah Haji Ghani Siti Puan Normala Old Lady Datin Sharifah & Datuk Zulkifli
SETTINGS
LONDON
Azreen furthers her studies in London.
A VILLAGE ON A SMALL ISLAND OFF
LANGKAWI.
Some of the places mentioned in the story.
SETTINGS
Azreen’s house
Azreen lives with her father, mother and
Madhuri.
The rubber plantation
The scene where Madhuri’s body is found.
SETTINGS
Madhuri’s room
Azreen finds Madhuri’s photos are all torn
in three parts. The room is also burnt
down.
Nek’s house
Mohd Mohd. Asraf lives with his
grandmother.
SETTINGS
The farm
Awang leaves the gate open and Mohd.
Asraf gets the blame when the bull
escapes.
The forest
The Old Lady runs to the forest and settles
in an abandoned wooden house after the
villagers outcast her.
SETTINGS
The school
The school where Azreen studied during her
secondary years. This is also where she gets
acquainted with Mohd. Asraf.
Paddy field
Salleh Abdullah finds Madhuri as a baby in the
makeshift bed of rags and leaves.
The cemetery
Madhuri and her mother are laid to rest here.
THEMES
LOVE: Parental, Forbidden & Unrequited Love
FORGIVENESS
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
GENDER STEREOTYPING
BELIEF IN SUPERNATURAL
FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN
VALUES
CARING
STANDING UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN
RESPONSIBILITY
DILIGENCE
CONCERN
BRAVERY
LOYALTY
PERSISTENT
THOUGHTFULNESS
HELPFUL
LITERARY DEVICES
SYMBOL
IMAGERY- VISUAL, SOUND
PERSONIFICATION
METAPHOR
SIMILE
TONE, MOOD, ATMOSPHERE
ONOMATOPOEIA
HYPERBOLES
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY ONE
Get the message
Duration: 40 minutes
Aim: To identify and analyze the themes in the
novel.
Material: Worksheet 8
Steps:
1. Distribute worksheet 8.
2. Match the evidence with the theme.
3. The students may refer to the novel using the
page reference.
ACTIVITY TWO
That says it all
Duration: 80 minutes
Aim: To identify the themes in the novel based on
the plot
Material: Worksheet 9
Steps:
1. Organize students in groups of 3-4
2. Distribute worksheet to the students. Students
write down the information required in the
boxes.
3. Check the answers.
ACTIVITY THREE
The good, the bad and the ugly
Duration: 40 minutes
Aims:
To analyse the events that help Azreen transform into a
better person.
To write about Azreen’s transformation.
Material: a)Worksheet 11
b) Coloured Pens
Steps:
1. Discuss with students the kind of spiritual journey that
the character Azreen took while making the actual
journey
Cont..
2. Give each pair of students the graphic
organizer (worksheet 11)
3. In the boxes, students list events that reflect
the different values shown.
4. Ask students to display their worksheet on the
class notice board.
Notes:
For low proficient students, teacher may provide
the events and students will match them to the
correct suitcase.
ACTIVITY FOUR
Imagery
Duration: 80 minutes
Aim: To allow students to explore ways in which
figurative language is used in the story.
Material: Worksheet 14
Steps:
1. Elicits different literary devices that students
are familiar with.
2. Discuss the meaning of the literary devices
identified by the students.
Cont..
3. Introduce an example of a simile and gives its
definition and evidence from the text.
4. Distribute Worksheet 14.
5. Ask students to work in groups or pairs to find
textual evidence from the text for each of the
literary devices.
Notes:
For Low English Proficient students, they may be given the
pages of the text to help them. Alternatively, they can
also be paired with higher proficient students to promote
peer teaching/learning.
ACTIVITY FIVE
Prove me right
Duration: 80 minutes
Aims:
To explore character traits in the novel.
To give description.
To provide evidence.
Material: Worksheet 5
Steps:
1. Call out a student at random and introduce him
to the class.
Cont..
2. Ask students to describe his character traits.
3. Ask students to pick characters they like from
the novel and describe them.
4. Distribute Worksheet 5.
5. Ask students to read and understand the
character traits given in the handout.
6.Instruct students to show textual evidence from
the novel.
7.Ask students to write down the evidence in the
column provided by quoting it from the novel.
Thank You
- Good Luck -