A SHADY PLOT

Elsie Brown
Gist of the Lesson
John Hallock was a ghost fiction writer. Though his stories were not published in all
magazines, there was at least Jenkins magazine to publish his stories. For this, Hallock was
in debt to his publisher and so it was hard to think of refusing another ghost story for Jenkins
whenever he wanted one. Having agreed to write another story for Jenkins, John Hallock sat
at his table, waiting for a new plot. He waited and waited for such a long time but no idea for
a plot dawned in his mind but for the first time he was visited by a real ghost!
Learning Objectives:
With the help of the fiction mentioned above my students will be able to

Develop their basic skills of language viz., listening, speaking, reading and writing

Understand the plot and character of the story

Learn words related to ghosts and ghost stories.

Enjoy and appreciate the story and the use of language.

Puzzle out the meaning of some unfamiliar words in the story.

Perception:
1. To appreciate horror fiction
Questions asked in the class/ activities:
1. Pre-reading activities like matching words related to ghosts and ghost stories with
their meanings.
2. Story prediction based on the title of the story.
3. Reading of the story in small groups
4. Puzzling out the meaning of unfamiliar lexical items.

Analysis:
1. Why did Jenkins insist Hallock to write ghost stories?
2. In what sense does Hallock claim that ghost had specialized in him?
3. What was the alarming tendency of his wife that really concerned Hallock?
4. How did the ghosts approach and presence in his room affect Hallock?
5. Why did the ghost give up writing in her previous life?
6.

Why was the Writers Inspiration Bureau organized? How does this bureau function?

7. Why were the ghosts on strike?

8. How does the ghost give an account of the distress that the ghost like her suffered
from due to the Ouija board fanatics
9. Why did Lavinia refuse to return the Ouija Board?
10. Who said that John was a traitor? Why?
11. Why did the ghost blame John Hallock for her inability to materialize?
12. Why did the ghost reappear to John Hallock?
13. How did Lavinia react on seeing the ghost of Helen of Troy? Why was it contrary to
what Hallock expected?
Synthesis:
1. John said that writing business was delightful but he meant it sarcastically while the
ghost of Helen meant it seriously. Whats your opinion?
2. John was, from the beginning, concerned about Lavinias fears. He could not let her
run the risk of seeing the ghost in his room. Unfortunately, all went in the wrong
direction. Explain.
3. Family relationship sometimes undergoes checks and trials. The best way to
overcome such trials is to be frank with each other. Discuss.
4. How did Helen unleash destruction on John Hallocks family life?
Creativity:
Write a ghost story.