Fiji Year 13 English. Literature-Short Story. "Harry" by Rosemary Timperley. Notes Discussion.

Summary

This video lesson delves into Rosemary Timperly's short story 'Harry,' exploring themes of love, horror, and desperation. Set in 1950s London, it tells the haunting tale of a ghostly presence, Harry, who seeks to reunite with his sister Christine, now adopted by a loving family. The story examines the complexities of family bonds, the struggle to understand children's minds, and the consequences of desperate acts. The lesson highlights Timperly's effective use of imagery and first-person narration to build suspense, leaving viewers with a chilling and thought-provoking experience.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video discusses a literature lesson focusing on the short story 'Harry' by Rosemary Timperly, a British novelist known for her ghost stories.
• 🎓 Rosemary Timperly was a prolific writer who published 66 novels and hundreds of short stories, with 'Harry' being one of her most famous works.
• 🏡 The story is set in London, England, with a significant part taking place in the James's residence, which is affected by the ghostly presence of Harry.
• 👻 The ghost of Harry is central to the story, as he is the deceased brother of Christine, who is now adopted by the James family and is the focus of his supernatural attention.
• 👶 Christine, the adopted daughter of the James family, starts talking to her imaginary brother Harry, which raises concerns for her foster mother, Mrs. James.
• 👩‍⚕️ Mrs. James consults Dr. Webster about Christine's behavior, but initially, there is no cause for alarm as it is seen as a normal part of a child's development.
• 🏢 The story's background includes the historical context of the 1955 Slum Clearance Act in London, which affected the living conditions of Harry's family.
• 🔍 As the story unfolds, Mrs. James learns about the tragic past of Christine's biological family and the circumstances that led to Harry's death.
• 😱 The story builds suspense and horror as it is revealed that Harry's ghost may be trying to take Christine away, leading to a chilling climax where Christine goes missing.
• 👪 The themes of the story include unconditional love, the struggle to understand children, and the desperate acts people may commit when faced with adversity.
• 🖋 The writing style of 'Harry' effectively uses imagery, first-person narration, and a compelling beginning and ending to create a sense of horror and suspense.

Q & A

Who is the author of the short story 'Harry'?

The author of the short story 'Harry' is Rosemary Timperly.

What was Rosemary Timperly's profession besides being a writer?

Besides being a writer, Rosemary Timperly was also a teacher and a staff writer for Reveal magazine, where she edited the personal advice column under the pen name Jane Blythe.

What is the setting of the short story 'Harry'?

The short story 'Harry' is set in London, England, primarily in the James's residence.

What is the significance of the year 1955 in the story 'Harry'?

The year 1955 is significant because it is when the Slum Clearance Act came into effect in London, which is relevant to the background of Harry's family living in unsanitary conditions and facing relocation.

What is the central theme of the short story 'Harry'?

The central theme of the short story 'Harry' is love, specifically the love between siblings and the lengths one would go to protect and be with a loved one.

What is the relationship between Christine and Harry?

Christine and Harry are siblings. Harry is Christine's older brother who appears as an imaginary friend after his death.

Why does Mrs. James become concerned about Christine's imaginary friend?

Mrs. James becomes concerned because Christine starts talking to an imaginary friend named Harry, and later develops a new accent, which raises suspicions about the influence of this imaginary friend on Christine.

What does the story suggest about the nature of Harry's death?

The story suggests that Harry died while trying to save Christine from their father's attempt to kill the family by gassing them, and that he fell to his death with Christine in his arms.

How does the story end?

The story ends with the implication that Harry, as a ghost, has taken Christine away, as she is never found after he supposedly comes to pick her up from school.

What are some of the writing styles used by Rosemary Timperly in 'Harry'?

Some of the writing styles used in 'Harry' include an effective title, use of imagery, effective beginning and ending, and first-person narration.