The Wheelers JewelBub BridgerEnglish 1.1: Show understanding of specified aspect(s) of studied written text(s), using supporting evidence

Bub Bridger

The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature

Bridger, Bub (1924–2009), poet and short story writer, was born in Napier of Irish and Ngäti Kahungunu descent, and lived in Wellington for many years before moving to Westport.

Leaving school at 14, Bridger worked in a number of factory and office jobs and did not begin writing until 1974 when she attended a writer’s workshop. Best known as a poet, though some of her short stories have also been anthologised, her work is characterised by its erotic exuberance, comic fantasy and underlying melancholy.

Pre reading (prediction)

“When Topaz found she was pregnant she went straight down to the pie-cart and told Mr Wheeler.”

1. What is the link between the title and the first line?

2. What do you think this story will be about?

What is Topaz?

A gemstone/jewel.

The topaz has been known for at least 2000 years and is one of the gemstones which form the foundations of the twelve gates to the Holy City of the New Jerusalem. These so-called apocalyptic stones are intended to serve in protection against enemies and as a symbol of beauty and splendour.

Topaz

“When Topaz found she was pregnant she went straight down to the pie-cart and told Mr Wheeler.

‘Mr Wheeler,’ she said, ‘you’ve knocked me up!’ “

1. First impressions, what is your first impression of Topaz?

2. Why did you think this?

3. Did you like her, why/why not?

4. What other quotes in the beginning of the story reinforce this impression?

5. Why does Topaz call Bob Mr Wheeler?

Topaz

“She flopped on the bed and began to cry again. In the middle of her tears she saw the new love comic she had bought on the way to the doctor’s surgery. She stopped crying and reached for it.”

1. Does this quote change how you feel about Topaz? How so?

2. What more does this say about her?

3. Do we now have empathy for her, why/why not?

Topaz

“‘I’m not innarested in anyya that, Mr Wheeler. You been after me since I started at that pie-cart! Well, you got me now – right in the shit! An’ you can get me out!’ Topaz didn’t really think he could.”

1. What does the way Topaz speak tell us about her?

2. Is it fair to judge her by her use of language, why/why not?

The Frog

Frog Meanings and Symbolism

When the frog jumps into your life it may indicate now is a time to find opportunities in transition. We see animal symbolism of transition with the frog in its unique growth cycle. The frog undergoes incredible transformations to reach the destination of full adulthood, and so do we as humans

Bob Wheeler

“Panic jumped about inside him like a mad frog…The frog in his chest dived into his belly and leapt about in the tea he had gulped.”

1. Why did Bridger use a frog when describing how Mr Wheeler was feeling?

2. What does the frog symbolise in the story?

3. What technique is it when Bridger uses the frog to show us how Mr Wheeler was feeling?

4. Why was this symbol so effective?

Bob Wheeler

“He began to rock back and forth, making small moaning sounds.

‘Shut up!’ said Phyllis sharply. “You sound like a dog.’ He shut up. But he clutched his stomach tighter and rocked harder”

1. What do we learn about Mr Wheeler in this quote?

2. What type of man is he?

3. What image does it give you when you read that he rocked “back and forth”?

Bob Wheeler

“You’ll have to move into the back room. I want that big sunny one for her.

‘My bedroom? he choked.”

1. What sort of relationship do Mr and Mrs Wheeler have?

2. Who has the power in the relationship?

Phyllis Wheeler

‘I’ll have to go Topaz,’ he said. ‘I swear I’ll talk to Phyllis as soon as I get home. Phyllis’ll know what to do.’

1. Mr Wheelers first instinct was to get his wife to tell him what to do, why?

2. What does this tell the reader about what type of person Phyllis is?

3. Why would Phyllis, “know what to do”?

Phyllis Wheeler

“‘I couldn’t get pregnant in 16 years. She manages it in three months. It’s a funny world Arn, a bloody funny world…’”

1. Phyllis never could get pregnant, how do you think this effected her reaction to Topaz’s pregnancy?

2. Do you think her reaction was reasonable?

3. What doe this tell you about Phyllis?

Relationships

Bob

Phyllis

Topaz

Arnold

Match the quote to the character

• In the long mirror by the bed she looked at herself, running her hands down her breasts and smoothing her flat little belly.

• Panic jumped about inside him like a mad frog.• She watched him thoughtfully, probing her tongue under her

bottom dentures• looks peaches and cream but she’s a bunch of razor blades.• in the bath trying to ease the pain and stiffness of nine hours

on the kitchen vinyl• She was bustling into the big room, intent on removing all

traces of him, singing like a bird.

Ideas

Characters

• The story is written from the view point of every character, we get to know how they think and feel. How was this effective in telling the story?

• The relationships in the story overlap yet some people are closer than others. Who have the closest relationships?

• Why is Topaz The Wheeler’

Themes• What do you think Bridger

was trying to teach the reader?• Was there a message in this

story, what was it?• Does this story relate to you in

anyway?• Are you able to connect what

you have learned from this story to any other text you have studied in high school, is so how?

Language Techniques

• Metaphor• Short sentences• Language choice: Vernacular / Colloquial / Phonetic

spelling• Narrative Point of View (POV): 3rd person • Symbols: Topaz / Pearl / Frog

Structure

How is this story structured?

• Three act structure

• Character narratives

Paragraph 1: TOPAZ

Paragraph 2: MR WHEELER (BOB)

Paragraph 3: PHYLLIS

etc…

Topaz saying she is pregnant

Phyllis meeting Topaz

Phyllis telling Bob that Topaz

is moving in

A New Zealand story

• Why is it important to read NZ texts?• How is this a uniquely NZ text?• Does the fact that it is a NZ text make it more

enjoyable/relatable?• What links are there in the story to NZ?

Response Writing (formative assessment)

You are expected to write a response paragraph describing ONE aspect of the story (handout)

Aspects include: character (individuals or relationships), main ideas, use of language technique/s, structure, POV etc…• IDEA+ response structure