Chapter 2 – after the war/flashbackStarter:

Have you ever glanced at

someone and felt an immediate connection?

Describe how it felt.Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)

I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Lesson Objectives

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of Heroes

I should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationships

I could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

What do we already know? True or false• That Francis has been to war• That Francis’ brother went

with him• That he is horribly injured• That he has returned to his

home town• That Francis’ Dad is devastated

by his injuries• That church is important to

him• That his landlady was glad to

see him alive

• That he loved Nicole and still does

• That Francis moved to Frenchtown as no one knew him there.

• That Larry LaSalle is an enemy• That he wants to be

anonymous• That his wife has left him as he

is so deformed• That he has a sinister plan.

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Grade BoosterYou will often need to write about characters in the exam and the way they interact. Begin a character file for each of the characters and add to your notes as you read the novel.• Francis Cassavant• Nicole Renard• Larry LaSalle• Mrs Belander• Joey• Arthur• Mr Laurier• Other charactersCan I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

You should have the following about Francis Cassavant:

ex-soldier 18 Lives....

Parents

injuries mission

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)What does respond to mean?

‘Respond to’ means you have to say what you think about the features of the novel –about the characters in the book, for instance, or the ideas that you think the writer has inmind.

You could be asked about your response to a character, for example ‘Do you considerFrancis to be a hero?’ To answer this question, you would need to think about whatFrancis says and does, his feelings and attitudes towards other characters, and hisrelationships with them. You might also be asked about Larry or Nicole, or about therelationships between characters.

In the same way, you could be asked about your response to the ideas in the novel. ‘Whatdo you think the novel has to say about heroes?’ would fit into this category. This time,you would need to think about the characters who are referred to as heroes at differenttimes, and what they do and say which might be heroic – and about Francis’s thoughtsabout heroism. It’s also important to think about where these ideas come, and how theydevelop – what are you left with at the end of the novel?

Heroes – Reading chapter 2

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

As we read make notes on:

Language e.g first/third person narrative? Short or long sentences?

Characters will Nicole be an important character in the novel?

Structure e.g past or present tense? Linear or non-linear?

Setting

Themes e.g. love?

Look back at your title for today

Circle the correct label for the structure –

after the war or flashback?

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Chapter Two Summary

1. A flashback to Francis’ days at schools tells of his first meeting with Nicole Renard.

2. Nicole is portrayed as beautiful and pure; Francis reveals his love and devotion to her right from the start.

3. They exchange a glance in a maths lesson which means much more to Francis than it does to her.

4. They meet occasionally when Nicole visits her friend Marie who lives in the same apartment block.

5. Francis does not know how to deal with his emotions and is overshadowed by his more confident friend, Joey LeBlanc.

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Copy this in to your books – 1 and 5 are in the correct order. Rearrange 2, 3 and 4

What are your first impressions of Nicole? What words and phrases are used to describe her?

How is the young Francis different to Francis the war veteran?

Francis the veteran Young Francis

Filled with hate Full of love and romantic ideas

Chapter 21 At the beginning of this chapter, how does the writer show that this is the beginning of the action of the book, in terms of time?

2 How does the first description of Nicole establish her character? Look carefully at the words used about her in the paragraph beginning ‘Nicole Renard was small and slender’ (page 9).

3 In the five paragraphs that follow the sentence ‘I knelt there like a knight at her feet’ (page 10), how does the writer describe Francis’s words and actions to show that he is very young here?

4 Look at the paragraph beginning ‘I was so startled by her voice’ (page 13). How does the author show that Francis is very young here?

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Why is this chapter important?A The chapter is devoted to flashbacks from scenes of Francis’ childhood and focuses on the attraction Francis feels for Nicole from their first meeting. B The central importance of Nicole in the novel is established.C We learn about the childhood character of Francis and are aware of how much his wartime experiences have changed him. His love of reading is displayed: the choice of The Sun Also Rises is especially significant. D This is Frenchtown before the arrival of Larry LaSalle. We are introduced to other members of Francis and Nicole’s social circle.

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Learning check – how are you getting on?

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of Heroes

I should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationships

I could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

FRANCIS BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF LARRY LASALLE

The young Francis is revealed in this chapter a shy boy lacking in confidence. When Nicole looks at him he is unable to speak and merely blushes. Francis is only too well aware of his shortcomings and appears to wish that he could behave differently, “I’d plunge into an agony of regret” (p.11) – the word “agony” suggesting the pain and torture he suffered as a result of his shyness. He doesn’t see Nicole as a real person, but as an idealised vision of perfection. Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

FRANCIS BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF LARRY LASALLE

From the moment he first sees Nicole in the maths lesson at school, Francis believes there was the suggestion of the relationship that will develop between them. He refers to the expression in her eyes: “a hint of mischief as if she were telling me we were going to have good times together ” (p.10). He tells us that he fell in love with her almost immediately. There is a naivety and innocence in the way in which he views her.Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

FRANCIS BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF LARRY LASALLE

Francis, before the arrival of Larry, is presented as a sensitive boy without the easy confidence of someone like Joey LeBlanc. As he will tell us later, his ambition was to read all the books in the public library. Cormier wants the reader to ask how this Francis became the damaged and vengeful war veteran presented in the first chapter.Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Key Quote

Francis: ‘I wanted to shout from the rooftops: “I love her with all my heart”’ (p.12).Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

The Idea of PurityNicole is presented as an almost virginal figure: “The pale purity of her face reminded me of the statue of St Therese in the niche next to Father Balthazar’s confessional in St Jude’s Church” (p. 10). The fact that Francis imagines her as a saint emphasises her goodness and suggests that he reveres her and looks up to her; Francis imagines himself as a knight in armour kneeling at her feet. The line “I silently pledged her my love and loyalty for ever” (p. 10) will become significant later on in the novel when Francis is not able to live up to this pledge.

The reference to himself as a knight reinforces the theme of heroism which runs throughout the novel. It is useful for us to remember that one of the roles of a knight was to rescue maidens in distress.

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Checkpoint 2

Make a list of the words and phrases used to describe Nicole on p. 9. What do you learn about her character from these examples?

Learning check – how are you getting on?

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of Heroes

I should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationships

I could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

The Social Circle

Francis is part of a group of a young people who enjoy each other’s company. They attend school and spend their free time together. We see normal lives and normal relationships, with young people learning about their feelings for each other. This group of friends will fall under the influence of Larry LaSalle. Their lives will be changed forever by the effects of war.Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

The Social Circle

At the end of the chapter we are introduced to Joey LeBlanc. He was a much more confident boy than Francis who was able to shout cheeky remarks to Nicole as she crossed the street. This serves to contrast with Francis’ tongue-tied behaviour whenever he met Nicole.

Francis’ lack of confidence is reinforced in that final line of the chapter: “I wonder whether she’d been waving at Joey LeBlanc or me” (p. 14). Think about Francis’ place in his social circle and how this changes during the novel.Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Innocence and purity

How many examples of innocence and purity can you find in Chapter 2?

Learning check – how are you getting on?

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of Heroes

I should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationships

I could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;

Reflecting on my learning: copy out ONE skill you need to work on the MOST at the moment.

Part 2: When studying the novel ‘Heroes’, I need more practise...1. Describing and explaining characters personalities2. Understanding the links between the themes and

characters3. Using a quotation that matches my point 4. Identifying and exploring language techniques5. Explaining and commenting on narrative techniques6. Interpreting the messages within the story

Can I critically respond to the text, ‘Heroes’? (AO1)I must generally refer to relevant aspects of HeroesI should discuss thoroughly and increasingly thoughtfully characters/relationshipsI could consider and suggest experimental ideas and judgements;