Tamara Drewe

Question 1

Plot

Answer 1

Tamara Drewe, a journalist, returns to her rural hometown after plastic surgery.

Writers’ retreat at Stonefield hosted by Beth Hardiman, whose husband,

Nicholas, is a famous but unfaithful writer.

Tamara’s arrival disrupts the community, attracting rock star Ben and rekindling feelings in Andy, a local handyman.

Teenage girls Jody and Casey interfere in Tamara’s love life, leading to an affair between Tamara and Nicholas.

Chaos unfolds, culminating in Nicholas’ accidental death by cows.
Beth finds independence, and Tamara moves forward as an author.

Question 2

Most important characters

Answer 2

Tamara Drewe – Round, dynamic

• Formerly unpopular, transforms physically and socially.
• Her new beauty gives her power, but she remains defined by others’ perspectives.

Beth Hardiman – Round, dynamic

• Nicholas’ wife, runs the retreat, initially self-sacrificing but later finds independence.

Nicholas Hardiman – Flat, static

• Selfish, serial cheater, gets away with infidelity until his death.

Glen Larson – Flat, static

• Visiting academic, idealizes rural life but is passive and uninvolved.

Jody Long – Round, dynamic

• Obsessed with rock star Ben, imitates Tamara, later matures.

Casey Shaw – Foil to Jody, round, dynamic

• Bystander to events but later finds her own voice and independence.

Question 3

Narrative Situation

Answer 3

Beth Hardiman: 1st person, internal perspective, teller mode (Times New Roman font).

Glen Larson: 1st person, internal perspective, experiencing mode (Arial font).

Casey Shaw: 1st person, internal perspective, reflective mode (Comic Sans font).

Tamara Drewe: Visual narrator, no verbal narration, external focalization.

Question 4

Is Tamara Drewe a Feminist Novel?

Answer 4

Yes, Because:

• Women’s Growth & Agency → Beth gains independence, Casey matures, Tamara succeeds as a writer.
• Critique of Patriarchy → Nicholas (cheater) and Glen (passive) show male privilege.
• Women’s Power in Relationships → Tamara strategically uses her sexuality, Beth controls the retreat.

But Also Problematic:

• Tamara Lacks a Voice → She has no verbal narration; others define her.
• Beauty = Power? → Tamara’s success follows plastic surgery.
• Women Are Blamed → But by the end, they take control.

Conclusion:

• Engages with feminist themes but remains ambiguous.
• Critiques male privilege, but Tamara’s portrayal complicates a purely feminist reading.