Plot Flashcards
What is the main premise of ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’?
The novel begins as a dreamy tale of a Valentine’s Day picnic in 1900 and transforms into a haunting mystery and psychological drama.
What themes are explored in ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’?
The novel delves into themes of repression, societal fragility, and the unknown.
Where does the story of ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ take place?
The story is set at a Victorian-era boarding school for girls in Mount Macedon, Australia.
Who runs Appleyard College?
Mrs. Appleyard runs the institution with strict discipline, prioritizing order and reputation.
What event triggers the central mystery in the novel?
A group of students and teachers embark on a picnic at Hanging Rock, where several girls inexplicably disappear.
What happens during the picnic at Hanging Rock?
Miranda, Marion, and Irma wander away from the group to explore the rock, and they disappear, leading to panic among the remaining group.
What is the reaction of the community to the disappearances?
News of the disappearances spreads quickly, inciting fear, speculation, and intense media scrutiny.
Who becomes obsessed with the mystery of the disappearances?
Michael Fitzhubert, a wealthy visitor, becomes obsessed and joins the search for the missing girls.
What happens to Irma after the search?
Irma is found unconscious on the rock but has no memory of what happened.
How does the disappearance affect Appleyard College?
The school suffers financial and social strain as parents withdraw their children, fearing it is cursed.
What happens to Sara Waybourne in the story?
Sara, devastated by Miranda’s absence, becomes a target of Mrs. Appleyard’s cruelty.
What is the fate of Sara in the novel?
Sara is found dead under suspicious circumstances, staged as a suicide.
What ultimately happens to Mrs. Appleyard?
Overwhelmed by scandals and guilt, Mrs. Appleyard takes her own life by leaping from Hanging Rock.
What remains unresolved at the end of the novel?
The disappearances of Miranda, Marion, and Miss McCraw remain unexplained, leaving a haunting sense of unresolved tension.
What narrative structure does ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ employ?
The story’s structure is nonlinear and cyclical, mimicking the chaos it portrays.
