LITERATURE COMPONENT NOTES

INTRODUCTION TO POEMS
What Is a Poem? Language and Style
• A poem is a piece of writing that uses the sound and • This refers to the way a poem is written which includes
meaning of words to show feelings, thoughts and ideas. the length, number of stanzas, rhyme scheme and rhythm.
• It has a form and it uses sound devices, imagery and • Usually literary devices are employed to give a clearer
figurative language. meaning to the poem. The following literary devices are
• Poems are written in groups of lines called stanzas. A commonly used:
stanza is like a paragraph in a story. Often a new idea or – Imagery
image appears in each stanza. Words in the poem that draw on the reader’s sense of
• The imagery in poems draws to the readers’ sense of sight, sight, sound, smell, taste and touch to give a more vivid
sound, taste, touch and smell. image in the reader’s mind.
• A poem may have a rhyme scheme. A rhyme scheme – Metaphor
is the pattern of rhyming words in a poem. Rhymes are A comparison made between two things without the
words that sound the same, and are often found at the use of words such as like or as.
end of lines. Example: My sister is a walking dictionary.
– Simile
Elements of a Poem A form of comparison which uses the words like or as.
Theme Example: Shafiq is as tall as a giraffe.
– Personification
• The theme is the message or image created in the poem
A figure of speech where non-human objects (animals,
that the writer wants the readers to understand.
things and ideas) are given human qualities.
• It may be stated explicitly or it may be implied.
Example: The palm trees danced to the gentle rhythm
Point of View of the breeze.
– Sound devices
• The point of view is based on the persona. The persona
A tool used by poets to convey meaning via the skilful
is the speaker in the poem, the ‘I’, whereas the poet is
use of sound. The common sound devices are:
the person who wrote the poem.
• Alliteration
• First person point of view: It means that the persona and
The same sound occurring closely together.
the poet are the same person. The poem usually uses the
Example: She sells seashells.
pronouns ‘I’ or ‘we’.
• Assonance
• Third person point of view: It means that the persona is
Repetition of same vowel sounds.
someone else other than the poet. The poet usually uses
Example: The rain in Spain falls mainly on the
the pronouns ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘they’ or ‘it’.
plains.
Moral Values • Onomatopoeia
Words that mimic the sound of an object or action.
• Moral values come in the form of advice from reading Example: Boom! Bang! Roar! Click!
the poem. They include kindness, generosity, humility and • Rhythm
others. The beat of the poem created by the stressed and
unstressed syllables. It gives the poem a musical feel.
Settings
It can be fast or slow. The rhythm is measured in
• It tells us the time and place where the story in the poem meters.
happens. • Rhyme
• For example, the time may refer to the year, day or an The same sound words, normally found at the end
event. The place, on the other hand, will give a sense of of lines.
location. Example: beat – heat, sun – fun
– Symbolism
Tone and Mood The use of symbols to show ideas or qualities.
• This is the feeling that the poet creates and what the Example: A red rose symbolises life. A turtle symbolises
reader senses when reading the poem. This is done longevity.
through the poet’s choice of words, rhythm, rhyme, style – Repetition
and structure. Repeating a word, a phrase or a sentence for emphasis.
• The different moods expressed may be humorous, happy, Example: A rose is a rose, is a rose, is a rose.
angry, sad or solemn.

© Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd. (139288–X) 1

 POEMS
POEM 1: Sad I Ams by Trevor Millum

I am I am
the ring the battery in which no charge is left
from an empty Cola can the starter motor which remains inert
the scrapings the tyre on which the tread is worn
from an unwashed porridge pan the sparking plug which shows no sign of spark
the severed arm the carburettor choked by bits of dirt
of last year’s Action Man. the chromium trim from which the shine has gone.

I am I am
the envelope a garden
on which the gum is gone overgrown with weeds
the Sellotape a library book
where you can’t find the end that no one ever reads
the toothless stapler, springless bulldog clip a stray
the dried-up liquid paper which no one thinks to feed
that mars instead of mends the piece of good advice
the stamped addressed reply which no one seems to need.
that you forgot
to send.

Synopsis Point of View

• The poem talks about ordinary items that we tend to • This poem is written from the first person point of view,
neglect or easily discard after use and think nothing about. as the pronoun ‘I’ is used at the beginning of each stanza.
The persona compares himself to the ordinary items that
are no longer needed, which could mean that the persona Settings
himself felt neglected. • Place
Stanza 1: The persona talks about the ring of a soft drink – No specific place is mentioned.
can, the small pieces of food scraped from a • Time
pan and the detached arm of an action figure/ – No specific time is mentioned. However, it could be
toy. set in present time as the items mentioned are fairly
Stanza 2: The persona speaks of more items that we modern.
sometimes neglect – the envelope that cannot
be used because the gum no longer sticks, the Moral Values
sticky tape that no one can find its end, the clip
• We should be appreciative of the ordinary items in our life.
that has no spring, the correction fluid that has
• We should always think positively.
dried up and the stamped addressed envelope
• We should be confident about ourselves.
that we forgot to send.
Stanza 3: The persona talks about the battery that has
Tone and Mood
died, the starter that does not work, the tyre
tread that has worn, the spark plug that doesn’t • The tone and mood is gloomy and depressing. By
work, the carburettor that is filled with dirt and comparing himself to unwanted ordinary items, the
the chromium trim that no longer shines. persona manages to evoke a feeling of sadness in readers
Stanza 4: The persona highlights a neglected garden with towards him.
overgrown weeds, a book that no one reads, a
stray animal that no one thinks about feeding Language and Style
and the piece of good advice that nobody The poem comprises four stanzas and does not have a fixed
wants. rhyme scheme. The style is simple and direct, while the
language used is simple everyday language. Some of the
Themes literary devices used are:
• Neglect and rejection • Imagery
– The persona compares himself to the neglected and – The poem is described so vividly that the readers are
unwanted ordinary items. This implies that he has faced able to imagine it.
rejection or feels neglected in certain ways. – Examples: ‘the scrapings from an unwashed porridge
• Lack of appreciation pan’, ‘the severed arm of last year’s Action Man’.
– All the items mentioned in this poem are ordinary items • Repetition
that nobody appreciates after they are no longer useful – The phrase ‘I am’ is repeated at the beginning of each
to them. Since the persona compares himself to these stanza. This gives emphasis on the persona’s strong
items, he must be feeling unappreciated. feelings of sadness and perception of himself being
• Negativism about life unwanted.
– The persona views himself negatively, as all four stanzas • Personification
are about him comparing himself to various unwanted – In stanza 3, the carburettor is given a human quality as
ordinary items. it is ‘choked by bits of dirt’.

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POEM 2: News Break by Max Fatchen

News Break
Now why so loving, darling,
And why the sudden kiss?
You’d help me with some little jobs?
For goodness sake, what’s this?
Your face is clean for once, dear.
Your clothes without a crease.
You saved your luncheon money?
Will wonders never cease?
No dropping of your school books,
No shrieking, childish treble.
Today you are a lamb, love,
Where yesterday a rebel.
But surely you’re some stranger,
No rage or hullabaloo.
Come closer, let me look, dear,
Can this be REALLY you?
Now were you struck by lightning
Or were you stunned at sport?
Ah…now I see the reason.
You’ve brought your school report!

Synopsis Settings
• The poem is about a parent who is puzzled about the • Place
sudden change in his child’s behaviour. At the end, he – The poem is set in a house.
finally finds out the reason for his child’s good behaviour • Time
– he has brought home his school report. – Modern times
Stanza 1: The persona wonders why his child is suddenly
so loving and would even help him with ‘some
little jobs’. Moral Values
Stanza 2: The persona is surprised that his child is clean • We should always be honest, especially towards parents.
and tidy. He even manages to save some of his • We should do something sincerely.
lunch money. • We should be true to ourselves.
Stanza 3: The persona is also confused because his child
behaves properly – he does not throw tantrums.
Stanza 4: The persona is so surprised by the sudden Tone and Mood
change of his child’s behaviour that he believes The poem has a reflective mood to it as the persona
that his child is almost a stranger. So, he wants contemplates his child’s past and present behaviour. There
to take a closer look at him. is also a bewildered tone to the poem because the persona
Stanza 5: The persona wonders if his child is struck by is surprised and confused by the sudden change of his
lightning or injured while playing a sport. Then child’s behaviour.
he finally finds out the reason for his child’s
good behaviour – he has brought home his
school report which must have been filled with Language and Style
bad grades. The poem comprises five stanzas with four lines each, and
it has the rhyme scheme ‘a, b, c, b’. The style is simple and
direct, while the language used is simple everyday language.
Theme Some of the literary devices used are:
• Honesty • Repetition
– The persona’s child tries to win his parent’s heart by – In the second stanza, the word ‘your’ is repeated three
behaving well. For example, he does chores around times.
the house which he usually never does. He behaves Examples: ‘Your face is clean for once’, ‘Your clothes
well because he has brought home his report card. He without a crease.’ and ‘You saved your luncheon
should tell his parent the truth because honesty is the money?’
best policy. • Metaphor
– The poet uses a metaphor to describe the child’s
behaviour. For example, in stanza three, ‘Today you are
Point of View a lamb, love.’ Here, the child is compared to a lamb,
• This poem is written from the first person point of view which is a metaphor for someone who behaves to be
because the pronoun ‘I’ and ‘your’ are used. innocent and obedient.

© Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd. (139288–X) 3

 INTRODUCTION TO SHORT STORIES
What Is a Short Story? Characters
• It is a brief narrative. • Characters refer to the people in the story.
• It is shorter than a novel. • There are two types of characters:
• It has a simple storyline. – Major characters (more developed)
• It has fewer characters than a novel and only one or two – Minor characters (less developed)
of the characters are fully developed.
• It normally carries one main theme. Theme
Elements of a Short Story • This is the main idea that the writer wants to convey
through the story. A story may have more than one theme.
Plot
• This is the sequence of events that happen in a story. It Moral Values
often develops in five stages. • These are the lessons that are learnt throughout the story.
– Exposition
Introduces the characters, setting and background of the Point of View
story.
– Rising action • This tells us the angle from which the writer wishes to
Starts with a conflict and the series of events build up present his story.
to the climax. • If the writer wants to write the story in the first person
– Climax point of view, the pronouns I and we will be used.
The turning point or highest point in the story. • When the writer writes the story in the third person point
– Falling action of view, the pronouns he, she, it and they will be used.
The action following the climax of the story that moves This means that the writer is not directly involved in the
it towards its resolution. story but he knows the characters’ feelings and thoughts.
– Resolution
The solution to the conflict is introduced, leading to the Language and Style
end of the story. • This refers to the creativity of the writer in captivating the
reader’s interest.
Settings • These are some narrative devices that the writer may use
• This refers to the time, place and people where the story to achieve the effect that he wants in a story:
takes place. – simile
• The physical setting refers to the place where the story – metaphor
happens. – imagery
• The time setting tells us when the story takes place and – symbolism
how long it lasts.
• The social setting refers to the social background of the
people in the story.

SHORT STORY: Fair’s Fair by Narinder Dhami

Synopsis

This is a story about three friends – Raj, Sam and Lee. One Saturday, Raj tells Sam and Lee that the fair is in town and
his father can take them there. The friends are excited about the fun things they can do there. Sam asks her father
for permission to go to the fair. Her father agrees but asks her not to be home too late. Lee’s mother, on the other
hand, does not agree. She tells Lee that she does not have the money for him to go to the fair.
Lee tells his friends about what his mother has said. Sam suggests that they do odd jobs for their parents in order
to get some money. First, they wash Sam’s father’s car, but end up making a mess and so they are not paid. Then
they walk Mrs Green’s dog, Micky, and are paid one pound. However, Lee gives the money to a little girl whose ball
is bitten by Micky. Fortunately, Lee is given five pounds after he returns a purse he finds on the ground to its rightful
owner. Lee and his friends are so happy that they can finally go to the fair.

Plot • Climax
• Exposition – The friends give the money to a little girl so now they
– The fair is in town and Raj invites Sam and Lee to go have no money and no jobs. Then they find a purse
with him. full of money on the street. It has dropped out of a
• Rising Action woman’s bag.
– Lee cannot go to the fair because his mother does not • Falling Action
have money for him. So, Raj, Sam and Lee do odd jobs – Lee returns the purse to the woman who has dropped
to get some money. First, they wash Sam’s father’s car it. Then the woman gives Lee five pounds as a reward.
but make a mess of it. Then they take Mrs Green’s dog • Resolution
for a walk and receive a pound. – Raj, Sam and Lee can go to the fair together.

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 • Minor characters
Elements of the Short Story – Sam’s father
Settings – Lee’s mother
• Time: All the events in the story happen on a Saturday. – Mrs Green
• Place: – the streets – the little girl in the park
– Lee’s house – a woman with a big bag of heavy shopping
– Sam’s house
– Raj’s house Themes
– the park • Friendship
– the bus stop – Sam and Raj insist that they are not going to the fair
without Lee. Sam then comes up with an idea to earn
Characters some money and she also helps Lee do odd jobs so
• Major characters he can go to the fair.
• Lee • Respect for parents
– He is respectful to his parents. He asks his mother – Lee and Sam ask their parents if they can go to the
for permission to go the fair. fair with Raj. This shows how much they respect their
– He is kind-hearted. He gives away his money to a little parents as they will always ask for permission before
girl to buy a new ball although he needs the money they do anything.
to go to the fair. • Honesty
– He is also an honest boy as he returns the purse he – When Raj, Sam and Lee find the purse, they are tempted
finds to its rightful owner. to keep it. After they debate among themselves, they
• Raj finally decide that the right thing to do is to be honest
– He is a good friend as he insists that his friends go and return the purse to the rightful owner.
to the fair with him.
– He is helpful. He is willing to help Lee do odd jobs Moral Values
to earn money. • We should always help our friends when they are in need.
– He is also a playful boy as he joins Sam and Lee to • We should always respect our parents.
play with water while washing Sam’s father’s car. • We should always be honest to everyone.
• Sam
– She is respectful to her parents as she asks for
permission to go to the fair and take a dog for a walk. Language and Style
– She is a clever girl as she comes up with different • The style of writing is simple and straightforward. There is
ideas on how to earn money for Lee. also dialogue in the story.
– She is also helpful. She is willing to help Lee do the
odd jobs to earn money.

INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHIC NOVELS

What is a Graphic Novel? • Place: This is where the story takes place.
• Time: This tells us when the story takes place and how
• A graphic novel is a novel in the form of comic strips. The
long it lasted.
story is told using pictures, speech bubbles and thought
bubbles.
Characters
Elements of a Graphic Novel • This refers to the ‘who’ in the story.
Plot
• This is the sequence of events that happen in a graphic Theme
novel. It often develops in five stages.
– Exposition • This is the main idea or message that the writer wants to
Beginning of the story. The characters, setting and express.
background of the story are introduced.
– Rising action Moral Values
The conflict is revealed. The point in the story where
the main characters face problems or complications. • These are the lessons that are learnt throughout the story.
– Climax
The most exciting part of the story, which is the turning Point of View
point of the story.
– Falling action • This tells us the angle from which the writer wishes to
The story begins to slow down and the loose ends of present his story.
the plot are tied up.
– Resolution Language and Style
The conflict is resolved and the story concludes.
• This refers to the creativity of the writer in captivating the
reader’s interest, e.g. narrative devices (simile, metaphor,
Settings imagery, symbolism).
• This refers to the ‘when’ and ‘where’ the story takes place.
It usually includes the time and place of the plot.

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GRAPHIC NOVEL 1: The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss (retold by
Martin Powell)
Synopsis

The Swiss Family Robinson is about Mr and Mrs Robinson and their four sons who are shipwrecked on an island. They
are travelling to Australia on board a ship. However, along their journey, they sail into a storm and their ship crashes. The
Robinson family is abandoned and left to their fate as the captain and crew escape into the lifeboats. The Robinson family
builds a simple raft and float to the shore of a nearby deserted island.
In the coming days, they use their resourcefulness and the tools from the ship to survive. They also carry away
supplies and livestock before the ill-fated ship breaks apart and sinks. Later, they build a tree house for shelter, and they
find plants and animals to use for food, clothing and their daily needs.
Years after the shipwreck, Fritz – the eldest son in the family, explores the other side of the island where he finds a
girl, Jenny Montrose, who is living alone. She is also shipwrecked, so he brings her back to stay with his family. On the
same day, the family and Jenny encounter a giant boa constrictor in the cave that the Robinson family use as dry goods
storage. They manage to kill it using arrows, and then burn it with oil and fire. Then Jenny’s grandfather finds all of them
as he is searching for Jenny. Fritz and Jenny decide to return to Europe. They get married in London. Mr Robinson’s other
sons continue their studies in the best schools. However, Mr and Mrs Robinson remain on the island, as they have grown
to love the place and have come to think of it as ‘Paradise’.

Plot • Mrs Robinson

• Exposition – The mother of the Robinson family.
– Mr Robinson and his family are shipwrecked on a deserted – She is an intelligent woman as she is the one
island. They start to live independently on the island. who suggests to Mr Robinson to build a house on
• Rising Action a tree.
– The Robinson family builds a raft, and gathers supplies – She is a hard-working woman. She feeds the livestock
and livestock from the sinking ship. Later, they build a and cooks every day.
tree house for shelter and pens for the livestock. After – She is also a loving and caring mother. She worries
some time, they notice that their livestock either go about her children’s safety and well-being all the time.
missing without a trace or die mysteriously. • Fritz Robinson
• Climax – The eldest son of the Robinson family.
– Fritz finds Jenny Montrose, who is stranded on the other – He is an independent boy. He takes two years to build
side of the island. Then the Robinson family and Jenny a canoe all by himself.
encounter and kill a giant boa constrictor in a cave. – He is courageous. For instance, he saves Jenny from
• Falling Action being attacked by a tiger.
– The Robinson family and Jenny are rescued by a British • Minor characters
ship sent by Jenny’s grandfather. – Ernest Robinson
• Resolution – Jack Robinson
– Mr and Mrs Robinson decide to stay on the island. The – Franz Robinson
rest of the Robinson family and Jenny leave the island – Jenny Montrose
for Europe.
Themes
Elements of the Graphic Novel • Strong family bonds
– The Robinsons is a very close-knit family. They take
Settings care of each other while they are on the uninhibited
• Time: The story is set in the early 19th century. island. First, there is Mr Robinson who is a responsible,
• Place: – the sea loving and protective head of the family. He protects
– an unknown deserted island his family and always finds ways to make his family’s
– the shore of the island life more comfortable. Then there is Mrs Robinson
– the jungle who supports her husband in any way she can,
– the ship and their children who are mature, brave and hard-
– the rock salt cave working. One of the reasons the Robinson family
– the smoking rock/volcano survives on the island is because of their strong family
– the British ship bond.
• The importance of resourcefulness
Characters – Resourcefulness is an invaluable asset when one
• Major characters needs to solve a difficult problem. Mr Robinson is the
• Mr Robinson best example as he uses his resourcefulness to make
– The father of the Robinson family. makeshift floaters using barrels to transport livestock
– He is a very responsible father and husband. When from the sinking ship to the shore of the island. His
the whole family reaches the shore, he makes sure sons, Jack and Franz, are resourceful as well because
his wife and sons are all right. they make fishing rods to catch fish. The Robinsons
– He loves his wife very much. For instance, he builds a would not have survived on the island if not for their
stairwell for his wife at their tree house because she resourcefulness.
nearly fell when using the ladder. • Cooperation
– He is also an intelligent and resourceful man. For – Throughout the story, the entire Robinson family pitch
example, he makes makeshift floaters using old in to do their part. Mr Robinson builds a house and
barrels to transport the livestock from the sinking ship takes care of the security with the help of his two older
to the shore of the island. sons. Mrs Robinson tends to the household chores, the

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 animals and the vegetable patch with the help of her Point of View
two younger sons. As a team, they also manage to kill • The narrator of the story is Mr Robinson, so it is clear that
the giant boa constrictor. This shows that cooperation is the story is written in the first person point of view. Readers
vital if success is to be achieved. are able to understand Mr Robinson’s feelings and share
Moral Values his experiences as he describes the events as the story
progresses.
• We must be brave so we can face our fears and overcome
obstacles in our life. Language and Style
• If we want to achieve something great as a team, we must • The style of writing is simple and straightforward.
cooperate.
• If we want to succeed, we must be prepared to work hard
for it.

GRAPHIC NOVEL 2: King Arthur (retold by Janet Hardy-Gould)

Synopsis

King Arthur is a story set in the year 650. It is a time when England does not have a king and the people are fighting
among themselves. Merlin the magician has a dream in which he sees the future king of England by the name of Arthur.
To find the right king, Merlin makes a magic stone with a sword placed in it. When Arthur pulls it out with ease, he is
made the king of England. With Merlin’s help, Arthur becomes a good king.
Soon Arthur falls in love with a beautiful lady, Guinevere, and decides to marry her. Merlin warns him that he sees
a ‘dark’ future for them. Merlin tells Arthur that he is losing his magic. Before he leaves, he gives Arthur a magic sword.
Arthur ignores Merlin’s warning and makes Guinevere his queen. Meanwhile, Arthur’s half-sister, Morgan, is plotting to put
her son, Mordred, on the throne.
One day, Mordred convinces Arthur that Guinevere and Lancelot are in love. Arthur orders Lancelot to leave the
castle of Camelot. Mordred then tells Arthur to go after Lancelot. Just before Arthur fights Lancelot, he receives news that
Mordred has taken his throne. Lancelot promises to help Arthur. Arthur rushes back to Camelot. In the battle with Mordred,
Arthur’s magical sword is broken and Arthur is wounded. In the end, Arthur asks Lancelot to look after Guinevere.

Plot Characters
• Exposition • Major characters
– Arthur is chosen as the true king. With Merlin’s help, • Merlin
Arthur learnt to rule his country. – He is a magician and serves as Arthur’s advisor.
• Rising Action – He is a wise old man. He teaches Arthur every day for
– Merlin gives Arthur a magic sword and leaves him. four years until Arthur becomes a strong, good king.
Arthur marries Guinevere despite Merlin’s warning. – He is also a good advisor to Arthur. He gives good
Lancelot becomes the first knight of the Round Table. advice to Arthur and guides him to be a successful
Meanwhile, Arthur’s half-sister, Morgan, and her son, king.
Mordred, plot against Arthur. – He is a protective old man. He warns Arthur that he
• Climax sees a ‘dark’ future for him and Guinevere. When
– Mordred convinces Arthur that Guinevere and Lancelot Arthur ignores his warning, he gives Arthur a magic
are in love. Arthur orders Lancelot to leave the castle of sword to protect himself and his country.
Camelot. Then Mordred tells Arthur to go after Lancelot. • Arthur
Just as Arthur is about to fight Lancelot, he receives – He is a quick-witted student. He learns a lot of things
news that Mordred has taken his throne. Arthur hurries from Merlin the magician.
back to Camelot. In a battle against Mordred, Arthur – He is a strong and courageous king. He survives a
breaks his magic sword and is badly wounded. long battle and his men believe they can win any
• Falling Action battles with Arthur as the ‘King of all England’.
– Lancelot arrives and kills Mordred. Arthur asks Lancelot – He is also a good king as he brings peace to the
to throw his magic sword into the water. A hand reaches country and provides enough food for his people.
out and grabs the sword. • Minor characters
• Resolution – Guinevere
– Merlin appears and asks Arthur to go with him. Arthur – Lancelot
asks Lancelot to find Guinevere and look after her. – Morgan
– Mordred
Settings
• Time: The story is set in the year 650. It was a time of Themes
unrest because the country had no king and the • Loyalty
people were always fighting. – The Knights of the Round Table are loyal to their king,
• Place: – The story revolves around the castle of Camelot, Arthur. They are willing to lay down their lives for
and involves towns and villages nearby in ancient him. Gawain and his fellow knights died while helping
England. Arthur to regain his throne. Besides that, although
– The ‘water’ (probably a lake) mentioned in the Arthur banished him from Camelot, Lancelot refuses
story is also an important setting. Arthur’s magic to fight Arthur. He is also willing to help Arthur fight
sword came from the ‘water’. Mordred.

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• Destiny Moral Values
– Several characters in this graphic novel are predestined • We should unite and maintain harmony in our country.
to certain ends. They are hinted through Merlin’s or • We should appreciate our good friends.
Morgan’s ‘vision’. Some examples include: Arthur is • We should trust our loved ones.
meant to bring peace to a fractured country; Mordred
is meant to destroy Arthur’s kingdom; and Guinevere Point of View
and Arthur are not meant to stay together.
• This story is written from the third person point of view
• Leadership
because the narrator used pronouns such as ‘they’ and
– Before Arthur becomes the king, there are a lot of fights
‘him’. The narrator is unseen as he describes the events
among the people of England. However, all this changed
that take place around King Arthur. The narrator is not a
when Arthur becomes the king. He is a strong, good
character in the story.
king who brings peace to the land and provides enough
food for his people. There are no longer any fights until Language and Style
Arthur becomes depressed when he banishes Lancelot
from Camelot. He neglects his kingdom and people • The style of writing is simple and straightforward.
begin to fight among themselves again. A good leader
should not be driven by emotions and they have to be
tactful in making decisions.

GRAPHIC NOVEL 3: 20 000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Synopsis

The story begins in 1866. Everyone is talking about the mysterious sea creature that has been attacking ships. So, an
expedition is organised by the United States government to hunt it. Professor Aronnax, who is an author, doctor and expert
in undersea life, accepts the invitation to participate in the search of the mysterious sea creature on board a warship, the
Abraham Lincoln. On board of the ship with Professor Aronnax are his manservant, Conseil, and the prince of harpooners,
Ned Land.
After three months of hunting, they finally spot the ‘creature’. During the struggle to capture the ‘creature’, Professor
Aronnax, Conseil and Ned Land are thrown into the sea. They land on top of a mysterious ‘creature’, which turn out to be
a submarine. They are taken prisoners by Captain Nemo, the commander of the vessel known as the Nautilus. Captain
Nemo tells them they can stay on board as free men but they can never leave the Nautilus. Professor Aronnax is thrilled
by Captain Nemo’s library, museum and scientific discoveries. During their time in the vessel, the men experience many
exciting adventures. One day, Captain Nemo attacks and sinks a warship. Professor Aronnax is shocked and horrified. The
men decide that they must find a way to leave the Nautilus as soon as possible. On the night Professor Aronnax, Conseil
and Ned Land make their escape, their boat is caught in a giant whirlpool. When Professor Aronnax wakes up, he finds
himself in a fisherman’s cottage. The fate of Captain Nemo and the Nautilus remain unknown.

Plot – Captain Nemo’s submarine, Nautilus

• Exposition – The Nautilus travels in the Pacific, Indian, Atlantic
– A mysterious sea creature has been attacking ships. and Antarctic Oceans, and the Mediterranean
Professor Aronnax accepts the invitation to participate and Red Sea.
in the search of the mysterious creature. The professor Characters
brings along his manservant, Conseil.
• Rising Action • Major characters
– The men are taken prisoners by Captain Nemo, the • Captain Nemo
commander of Nautilus. They are allowed to stay in the – He is the Captain of the submarine, Nautilus.
Nautilus, but they can never leave the vessel. – He is a scientific genius. He builds the Nautilus
• Climax himself so he can explore the depths of the sea.
– After the South Pole excursion where they face a really – He is a show-off. He likes to impress his guests with his
dangerous situation, the professor and his friends scientific discoveries. He once told Professor Aronnax
feels that it is time to escape from the Nautilus. This that a million dollars is nothing to him because he is a
is confirmed when Captain Nemo attacks and sinks a very rich man.
warship for no good reason. – He is quite temperamental as well, but has a lot of
• Falling Action self-control.
– Professor Aronnax, Conseil and Ned Land finally escape • Professor Pierre Aronnax
in a boat, but they are caught in a giant whirlpool. – He is an Assistant Professor in the Museum of Natural
• Resolution History.
– When Professor Aronnax wakes up, he finds himself in a – He is an author, doctor and expert in undersea life.
fisherman’s cottage. He realises he and his friends had – He is an adventurous person. He joins the expedition
survived the giant whirlpool. aboard the warship, Abraham Lincoln in search of the
mysterious creature. He is willing to take risks, not
knowing what the mysterious creature is.
Settings – He also has an inquisitive nature. When Captain
• Time: The story is set in the mid-19th century. It begins Nemo takes him on a tour of the Nautilus, he asks
in 1866 and ends in 1868. various questions on the inner workings of the
• Place: – Professor Aronnax’s study submarine because he is fascinated by how the
– the US warship, Abraham Lincoln Nautilus functions.

© Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd. (139288–X) 8

• Minor characters the Nautilus and even explore the undersea world, but
– Ned Land they can never leave the submarine. In the beginning,
– Conseil Professor Aronnax’s excitement at the thought of
exploring the undersea life overtakes his desire for
Themes freedom. Later, he realises that nothing is worth his life
and freedom. Ned Land, on the other hand, has longed
• Adventure and exploration for his freedom since the beginning of the story. He will
– Professor Aronnax accepts the invitation to participate in always find ways to escape Nautilus even if they are not
the search of the mysterious sea creature because of his successful.
curiosity and his need to explore the unknown undersea
life. This leads him on an adventure of a lifetime as he
meets Captain Nemo. He is taken to strange places Moral Values
where no man had ever ventured such as the lost city • We must be brave to pursue our dreams.
of Atlantis and the South Pole. • We must respect everyone’s need for freedom.
• Science and technology
– Captain Nemo is very knowledgeable in the field of Point of View
science and technology. His submarine, Nautilus, is a
• This story is written from the first person point of view.
very advanced technological submarine. It is powered
Professor Aronnax is the narrator who is telling the story.
by electricity and when it rises to the surface, it makes
Readers are able to understand Professor Aronnax’s
powerful pumps to take in and store fresh air. His
feelings and share his experiences as he describes the
invention is many years ahead of time, which isolates
events as the story progresses.
him from the rest of the world that he lives in.
• Freedom
– Professor Aronnax, Conseil and Ned Land are kept as Language and Style
prisoners on board the Nautilus. They are free to roam • The style of writing is simple and straightforward.

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