Section 1
The character who became the leader of the Wormsley Common Gang on the eve of August Bank Holiday
Who is Trevor?
"Blackie had difficulty in smuggling out THIS ITEM, and then in finding the THIS ITEM at the back of No. 15." (7)
What are a saw and sledge-hammer?
This character's nickname is used when the text states, "Old Misery came limping off the common" (12) and the boys whistled to warn their gang.
Who is Mr. Thomas?
"Nails, chisels, screwdrivers, anything that was sharp and penetrating"where utilized to do this debilitating action
What is to "weaken the house's structure"?
This caused widespread destruction, leaving entire neighborhoods, like the one in The Destructors, in ruins. Over 43,000 civilians were killed, and many buildings were destroyed, creating the bombed-out landscapes that serve as a backdrop in the story
Old Misery's real name was Thomas, and he was formerly a builder and decorator.
What was Old Misery's real name and former occupation?
Showing clear leadership by ordering and providing instruction, THIS character took charge organizing the gang's efforts and assigning specific tasks to different member: "[He] was giving his orders with decision" (6) and "He looked at the sledge-hammer and gave his instructions. 'You stay here and break the bath and the wash-basin.'" (8)
Who is T.?
This action is implemented one of them was stuck in the outdoor toilet (or loo) and eventually convinced Mr. Thomas to enter his garden through an unusual route of the bombed garden wall (12).
What is to "lure," "trap," "etc."?
This character "hit on the damp course and realized the work could be halved if they weakened the joints immediately above." (15); he led to his discovery and allowed the gang to focus their efforts more effectively.
Who is Blackie?
In The Destructors, Trevor’s hatred of Old Misery’s beautiful house can be seen as a reflection of post-war disdain for these long-standing societal divisions. ; however, their greatest struggle is described by this: the belief that a person's social or economic status determines their value in society, and that people of lower classes are inferior to those of higher classes
What is classism or class structure?
This corkscrew architectural feature was found by T after he surprised the gang after visiting Old Misery's home.
What is a "two hundred years old" staircase (4)?
This unexpected discovery led T. to make a pivotal decision that many others would have done differently (9).
What is "found Old Misery's savings, bundles of pound notes, but decided to burn them rather than share or keep them"?
THIS is revealed when the text describes, "A hand whipped the key out of the lock and the door slammed. 'Let me out,' he called, and heard the key turn in the lock" (13-14).
What was the real purpose of getting Mr. Thomas into the garden?
"To watch the road for passers-by" (14) while they worked on the most dangerous task "out in the open at the edge of the bomb-site" (14)make this character sent to keep watch.
Who is Summers?
Stalin killed this many more millions of people; more than Hitler during purges of “undesirables” which resulted in about 12 million people.
What is 25 million (or 13 million more than Hitler)?
This character initially laughed at T's plan to destroy Old Misery's home; however, by the end of the passage, he joined the plan, driven by the potential fame it could bring to the gang (5).
Who is Blackie?
This literary device is used when the author describes the gang's actions as a form of creation, suggesting that "destruction is a creative act" as a universal message.
What is theme?
The act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side often to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect like when the boy's deliberate destruction of the house with Mr. Thomas's willingness to accommodate them (13).
What is juxtaposition?
The boys' paradoxical concerns' led to provisions provided to a character who must stay comfortable during confinement: "'Here's a blanket,' and food, telling him, 'Catch. Penny buns - we've buttered them, and sausage-rolls. We don't want you to starve,..." (15).
Who is Mr. Thomas?
Only 1.9% died while in German captivity, while 40.4% died in Japanese POW camps or at sea when transports carrying POWs were sunk by the Allies who did not know of the human cargo within them. (Guess within 15,000)
What is approx.. 130,000 American?
This metaphor reflect the gang's planned approach and potential impact.
What is "like worms in an apple" (5)?
"'All this hate and love, it's soft, it's hooey. There's only things, Blackie'" (9) provides THIS to the idea that T. has a detached, nihilistic worldview--one where emotions are irrelevant and he is focused on the physical world.
What is textual evidence?
Through Mr. Thomas's horoscope, which warns, "Abstain from any dealings in first half of week. Danger of serious crash," (13) this literary device is affected.
What is irony/foreshadowing?
The author employs this literary device when the driver, upon seeing the destroyed house, begins to laugh uncontrollably. Despite apologizing, the driver says, "There's nothing personal, but you got to admit it's funny" (16) This echoes the boys' earlier statement to Mr. Thomas, "There's nothing personal," creating a stark contrast between the driver's amusement and Mr. Thomas's distress, while also linking the destruction to the boys' actions through repeated phrasing.
What is irony?
This modernist author wrote The Destructors as a reflection of post-WWII disillusionment in British society.
Who is Graham Greene?