Past the Shallows

Question 1

Characters in the Curren Family

Answer 1

Harry, Miles, Joe, Steven (Father), Mother

Uncle Nick, Auntie Jean, Grandad

Question 2

Side Characters

Answer 2

George (Has dog called Jake), Jeff & Martin (Boat peeps), Mr Roberts/Brian (successful fisherman)

Question 3

Key Human Experiences

Answer 3

Family, Violence, Loss/grief, Childhood innocence, and humanities connection to natural world

Question 4

Key Ideas

Answer 4

Memories

• power of traumatic experiences
• protective role memory can have
• painful & destructive, can erode ones sense of identity

Ocean

• reacts to the characters emotions
• strong sense of emotion, almost alive

Emotions

• grief and loss’ effect on different individuals
• people grieve differently
• dark thoughts lead to dark actions

Nature
- deep connection to nature

Question 5

“Joe standing tall, eyes lost to the water”

Answer 5

Connection to water

Question 6

“The water sucked and moved, smashed against the rocks”

Answer 6

Dynamic and changeable setting

Question 7

“The ocean was at peace” –> “One solid, dark mass”

Answer 7

The appearance of the environment shifts with the moods of the characters. After Joe leaves Miles perspective of waves shift.

Question 8

“Perfect” “then a change in light, sudden stillness”

Answer 8

Describes Ocean

• emotions & experiences don’t remain consistent

Question 9

“fear and destruction”

Answer 9

description of the ocean

Question 10

“The rise and the fall of the ocean breathing”

Answer 10

personification

Question 11

“Just one more. Just give me one more”

Answer 11

Miles waiting for waves, also relate to his wish of more memories with harry

Question 12

“Water that was always there. Always everywhere. The sound and the smell and the cold waves making Harry different.”

Answer 12

…

Question 13

What is the main structures of this text?

Answer 13

Non-linear (flashbacks) and Cyclical structure (begins where it starts)

Question 14

“Out past the shallows, past the sandy-bottomed bays, comes the dark water - black and cold and roaring. Rolling out an invisible path, a new line for them to follow.
To somewhere warm.
To somewhere new.”

Answer 14

Cyclical structure, repeated at start and end of the novel.

Question 15

What perspective does this novel come from?

Answer 15

Perspective and point of view from children. First person alternating between Harry and Miles. Naive perspective of a child.

Question 16

Paradox

Answer 16

Ocean is livelihood and recreation of the Curren family, but ultimately destroys what family unit they have.

Question 17

Paradox

Answer 17

Ocean is livelihood and recreation of the Curren family, but ultimately destroys what family unit they have.

Question 18

Aspects from Common Module

Answer 18

Texts represent individual and collective human experiences

Examine how texts represent human qualities and emotions associated with, or arising from, these experiences.

Explore how texts may give insight into the anomalies, paradoxes and inconsistencies in human behavior and motivations

See the world differently, to challenge assumptions, ignite new ideas or reflect personally.

Question 19

“Ripples of soft sand, balls of loose seaweed flying free and weightless. The black rock and reef hiding thin beneath the sand.”

Answer 19

…

Question 20

“He felt the lines punch hard underneath him, pick him up like he was just a reef”

Answer 20

Simile

Question 21

“The rain sliced down through the air at a sharp angle so that the drops hit your skin like cold bits of gravel.”

Answer 21

Simile

Question 22

Duality of nature and the complexities of Family Relations

Answer 22

…

Question 23

“The cliffs behind were like giant guardians standing tall”

Answer 23

Simile

Question 24

“Miles knew the water. And he knew not to trust it.”

Answer 24

Repetition and symbolism

Question 25

“rolling hills” and “giant troughs”

Answer 25

Visual Imagery