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Year 7 - English

'The Twisted Tree': analysing the dreadful draugr

'The Twisted Tree': fiction reading

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils read, explore and respond to the modern fairytale novel 'The Twisted Tree'. They start by reading the novel before practising writing analytically about the novel's key characters and themes. They finally respond creatively to the novel by writing an article and short script.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to analyse how Burge has characterised the draugr as a fearsome creature.

Key Notes

  • A range of metaphors are used to describe the draugr.
  • The draugr is associated with death to heighten its terror and make the reader fear for Martha's life.
  • Burge waits until the end of the novel to introduce a full description of the draugr, in order to create mystery.
  • The draugr's curved claws are a symbol of its terrifying violence.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • draugr: an undead creature from Norse mythology that haunts the living
  • metaphor: a way of describing something by saying it is something else, to show a comparison or similarity between the two things
  • imagery: visually descriptive writing
  • fearsome: frightening, especially in appearance

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils might think that the draugr is simply a physical monster with no deeper significance or symbolism.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

A range of metaphors are used to describe the draugr. The draugr is associated with death to heighten its terror and make the reader fear for Martha's life.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'draugr'

an undead creature from Norse mythology that haunts the living.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils might think that the draugr is simply a physical monster with no deeper significance or symbolism. Correction: While the draugr is indeed a fearsome physical entity, it also symbolises deeper themes such as death, decay and the persistence of fear. In Norse mythology, draugrs are more than just monsters; they embody the fears and anxieties of the living.

More Lessons In This Unit

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