Chapters 1-8

PDF file: Reading unit

The Drums of Hampden by Mark Frankland

Writers have to grab the readers' attention right at the start of the novel to make them read further.

Read the opening page of 'The Drums of Hampden.'

The writer Mark Frankland:

• Has very dramatic opening sentences

'The ball was clipped through from the right back. Tony reacted instantly.'

• Introduces the setting and background and a conflict between two players

We find ourselves in the middle of an important football match in a stadium.

• A central character is introduced as well as a minor character

Tony Forbes and Jimmy Stamp

• Prepares us for the later storyline of how the conflict between the older Forbes and the younger Stamp will develop.

Group Discussion:

In your groups discuss each point above and decide how each helps to 'hook' the reader. One has been modelled for you on the supplied grid. Use the supplied grid to note your responses.

Chapters 1 and 2:

Here, a number of things change. Firstly,the setting. Chapter 1 is very exciting. It starts during an important football match. Chapter two is very different. Use the supplied charts to compare the differences in setting, plot and characters with chapter 1.

Climax, Anti Climax and Theme

One of the techniques used by the writer Mark Frankland is the use of climax and anti climax.

Climax is where the action in a novel reaches a peak.

Anti climax is where the action quietens and becomes much less exciting.

Chapter 1 of the novel is very unusual because it begins with the climax of an important match between Scotland and England.

Chapter 2 is an anti climax after the excitement of chapter 1 where we find out more about the private life of Tony and how he interacts with his father, Winston and his son Ben.

Another technique which emerges from chapter 2 is the theme of the novel. The theme of a novel is about more than the plot, or the setting, or the characters.

The theme is about the 'message' which the writer is trying to get across to his readers. Writers don't do this in a clumsy way by writing in the first line of their novels:

'The theme of my novel is.....'

They try to make the reader think about the message by reading closely, by thinking about the characters and their actions.

The theme of discrimination emerges in chapters 1 and 2. Discuss how we know this with your partner. Here are some questions to help you focus.

Chapter 3

At the end of chapter 1 we are left with a problem. Tony has not admitted that a racist incident took place. He is therefore in serious trouble for hitting Jimmy Stamp. In chapter 2 we are led to a solution to the problem. In chapter 3 this will be resolved? Working with your partner, rearrange the supplied statements into the correct order of events. This will help to keep you clear on plot developments.

Review:

It will be easier for you to write your critical essay at the end if you review what you have learned so far by writing a few paragraphs on the way the writer introduces the story, the characters and the settings.

You have all the information you need in the notes you have made.

Plan

Write one paragraph on how Mark Frankland makes the introduction of his story exciting and how he 'hooks' the reader. (Remember to use words like PLOT, SETTING and CHARACTERS)

Then write another paragraph on his use of climax, anti climax and the theme.

Chapters 4 - 8

Here, the writer moves into the development phase of his novel. One of the major changes made in chapters 4-8 is the dramatic change in settings from Europe and an urban (city) setting to the African continent and a rural (country) setting.

Working with your partner, identify 5 similarities and differences between these settings. Use the supplied chart to help you. Some of these are done for you already.

We are introduced to another central character in chapter, that of Simon. Simon makes friends with Tony's son, Ben.

Tony can see straight away that Simon's footballing talent is not just good; it is extraordinary.

We know about characters in a novel by:

WHAT THEY SAY and WHAT THEY DO.

We are going to compare the characters of Jimmy Stamp and Simon Matembo. Use the supplied charts to complete your profile of these two characters.

Simon is not allowed to play football with the other members of his tribe.

Read pages 43 to 45.

Here, we have an example of irony. Irony is a technique used by the writer to help show his theme of discrimination.

Irony is where the opposite happens to what we expect.

Group Discussion:

Another theme begins to emerge in chapter 8 of the novel. This theme is the idea of wealth and poverty.

The people of Mapote are very poor compared to most people in Scotland.

This brings up the theme of wealth and poverty.

Simons' mother brings this issue out during a discussion with Tony who wants to bring Simon back to Scotland to play football:

'Can it be right for a man to earn such riches for playing a game when there are so many who are hungry?'

Use the supplied chart to help structure your discussion.