My Name is Leon Vocabulary- Grades 4-9

Question 1

Tier 3- Whole Text

Symbol

STARSIGNS

Answer 1

Something that represents something else in a text

Plants seem to symbolise growth in the novel; like children, they need basics like food and water but also to be nurtured and cared for.

Question 2

Tier 3- Whole Text

Theme

STARSIGNS

Answer 2

A literary theme is the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work.

Some of the prominent themes in My Name is Leon are childhood, racism, and belonging.

Question 3

Tier 3- Whole Text

Atmosphere

STARSIGNS

Answer 3

The atmosphere in literature is the way an author uses setting, objects, or internal thoughts of characters to create emotion, mood, or experiences for the reader.

During the riots, the atmosphere is tense.

Question 4

Tier 3- Whole Text

Reader

STARSIGNS

Answer 4

The general repsonse someone reading the text will have. You can discuss using modal verbs.

The reader might feel concern for Leon at this point in the text.

Question 5

Tier 3- Whole Text

Setting

STARSIGNS

Answer 5

Where the novel is set.

The historical setting of the novel, in 1980s Birmingham, means that ideas about racism and prejudice underpin the whole text.

Question 6

Tier 3- Whole Text

Imagery

STARSIGNS

Answer 6

Visually descriptive language

The allotments are generally described using peaceful imagery, emphasising the harmonious and includive nature of the setting.

Question 7

Tier 3- Whole Text / Genre

Genre

STARSIGNS

Answer 7

A category of literature.

My Name is Leon falls into the genres of realist fiction, historical fiction, and a bildungsroman.

Question 8

Tier 3- Whole Text

Narrative Perspective

STARSIGNS

Answer 8

The point of view a story is told from

De Waal’s choice of narrative perspective affects who the reader sympathises with.

Question 9

Tier 3- Whole Text

Structure

STARSIGNS

Answer 9

The organization and ordering of a story’s various elements, including plot, characters, and themes.

The structure of My Name is Leon is developed to build sympathy for the character of Leon.

Question 10

Tier 3- Narrative Voice

Limited third person

Answer 10

A text is written in third person (he/she), but we only know what the central protagonist knows, when they know it.

De Waal’s choice to use limited third person narrative persepctive means that we emphasie even more with the character of Leon, as we see events through his eyes.

Question 11

Tier 3- Structure

Freytag’s Pyramid

Answer 11

A structure of a narrative, where the entire plot is driven by a conflict—the protagonist is on a quest to achieve something. The structure is in 5 parts:
Introduction
Rise
Climax
Fall
Catastrophe

De Waal follows Freytag’s pyramid, as the novel is driven by Leon’s desire to reconcile with Jake.

Question 12

Tier 3- Structure

Exposition

Answer 12

The opening of the novel where key characters and settings are introduced.

In the exposition of the novel, we see the unusual family dynamic.

Question 13

Tier 3- Structure

Climax

Answer 13

The high point of tension in the novel

The climax seems to be the riots, where we worry whether Leon will be harmed or even killed.

Question 14

Tier 3- Structure

Denouement

Also called resolution

Answer 14

the final part of a narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.

The denouement happens in the last chapter; Leon’s unconventional foster family and allotment friends come together to celebrate the royal wedding.

Question 15

Tier 3- Structure

Chronological Narrative

Also called linear narrative

Answer 15

When events are told in time order

The **chronological narrative **makes the events of the novel seem believable.

Question 16

Tier 3- Structure

Flashback

Also called shift in time

Answer 16

When the narrative returns to an event which happened in the past; the chronological order is broken.

The flashbacks to Leon’s childhood emphasise the tempestuous nature of his father and the mental fragility of Carol.

Question 17

Tier 3- Structure

Juxtaposition

Answer 17

A complete contrast

Carol’s neglectful mothering is juxtaposed with Maureen’s traditional maternal instincts.

Question 18

Tier 3- Characterisation

Characterisation

Answer 18

The way a character is presented

The characterisation of Sylvia makes her likeable for older readers, although younger readers may not understand her behaviours as well.

Question 19

Tier 3- Characterisation

Internal Conflict

Answer 19

Internal conflict refers to the problems or conflict happening inside a character, for example uncertainty and fear.

The character of Leon is presented as having internal conflict with his family; he cannot accept Muareen’s care until he has recognised that he cannot live with his mother.

Question 20

Tier 3- Characterisation

External Conflict

Answer 20

External conflict refers to the problems happening outside of the central character, for example, a social injustice.

In the novel, we see the **external conflict **of racism and prejudice run as a subplot.

Question 21

Tier 3: Characterisation

Interpersonal Conflict

Answer 21

Interpersonal conflict refers to any type of conflict involving two or more people.

The** interpersonal conflict** between Devlin and Tufty builds tension, and makes the reader feel uncomfortable.

Question 22

Tier 3- Characterisation

Archetype

Answer 22

Easily recongisable characters in literature who fulfil who fulfill specific roles within the plot or conflict and help develop the literary work’s theme, meaning, or purpose.

Maureen fulfils the role of archetypal caregiver in the novel, looking after Leon and nurturing him.

Question 23

Tier 3- Characterisation

Archetypal caregiver

Answer 23

A character who cares for, protects, and nurtures others.

Maureen fulfils the role of archetypal caregiver in the novel, looking after Leon and nurturing him.

Question 24

Tier 3- Characterisation

Archetypal Innocent

Answer 24

The Innocent is pure, virtuous and faultless, free from the responsibility of having done anything hurtful or wrong.

As a child, we can argue that Leon is an archetypal innocent: he is pure and good, and only tainted by society.

Question 25

Tier 3- Characterisation

Archetypal Sage

Answer 25

A mentor; the character that the hero or heroine turns to when they need help overcoming obstacles; the character who teaches them.

Tufty seems to be the archetypal sage: he does not just teach Leon about his cultural history and gardening, but also how to respond to prejudice and disappointments in life.

Question 26

Tier 3- Structure

Hero’s Journey

Also called a monomyth

Answer 26

The common template of stories that involve a hero who goes on an adventure, is victorious in a decisive crisis, and comes home changed or transformed.

My Name is Leon follows the structure of a hero’s journey, although his adventure and crisis is grounded in the real, rather than the supernatural.

Question 27

Tier 3- Characterisation

Foil Character

Answer 27

In any narrative, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character in order to better highlight or differentiate certain qualities of the protagonist.

Maureen is presented as a foil character to Carol, in order to explore ideas about motherhood.