Characters
Who is the youngest of the three brothers?
Harry
Name the island off Tasmania where the novel is set
Bruny Island
What does the term 'individual human experiences' mean?
Experiences that are personal and unique to an individual, such as grief, fear, love, trauma, resilience or loss.
What happened to the boys' mother?
She died in a car accident.
How does Harry get $20 and what does he do with the money?
He finds it on the ground when he goes to the regatta.
He spends it on showbags.
What does the term 'collective human experiences' mean?
Experiences shared by groups or communities, such as family relationships, conflict, grief, displacement or social hardship.
What is the name of the father in Past the Shallows?
(first and last name)
Steven Curren
Parrett repeatedly uses the natural environment to reflect the emotional experiences of her characters. What technique is this?
Symbolism / pathetic fallacy / imagery
How can a text give audiences 'insight' into human experiences?
Texts allow audiences to enter the perspectives of characters and explore experiences, emotions and situations that may be unfamiliar to them.
Who is Uncle Nick and what happened to him?
Married to Aunty Jean - Mum's sister
Had affair with Mum. Possibly biological father of Harry (and maybe Miles)
The ocean is repeatedly associated with both beauty and danger. What does this contrast represent?
The duality and complexity of human experiences;
the ocean can represent freedom and escape but also danger, fear and death.
How does the novel encourage audiences to reconsider their assumptions?
Through Past the Shallows, Parrett challenges audiences to reconsider assumptions about family, resilience and the capacity of individuals to endure hardship.
Mr Roberts says to Miles:
"Don't you get stuck here with your dad... Don't you let him... You're too young to be out there working, Miles. It's not right."
What is he concerned about?
He
How is Aunty Jean related to the boys?
She is their mother's sister
How does Parrett's use of a child's perspective influence the audience's response?
(hint- how does it create pathos?)
Possible answer:
Miles' perspective encourages the audience to empathise with his vulnerability and limited understanding. Readers recognise the dangers surrounding him, even when Miles may not fully comprehend them, creating tension and emotional impact.
What does anomalies mean?
Bonus 200 points if you can give a specific example from the novel
An anomaly is something that is different, abnormal, or does not fit a standard rule, pattern, or normal expectation