1. Describe the setting in the novel – Time, Place and Circumstance. Please use quotations to support your answers.
The story takes place in Zennor, located on the Cornish coast in England. Much of chapters one and two occur in the kitchen of Sapphy’s home, a cottage nearest to the sea in the area, “Mum’s in the kitchen, clattering plates” (Pg. 8), “At first we all sit together in the kitchen, round the table, waiting.” (Pg. 19) The main events occur from the time the family returns home from the Midsummer Eve Bonfire and an argument ensues between Jennie and Mathew to the time Mathew disappears at sea, and is presumed dead. The setting in chapter two ends with Mathew’s memorial service in the Zennor Church.
2. Which characters have you been introduced to so far? What are they like? Is there any conflict between characters?
3. Find a quotation that helps describe each of the characters you have been introduced to.
So far in the novel, we have been introduced to the following characters:
Sapphire (Sapphy) - She is the narrator and main character of the novel. She has an older brother named Conor. Sapphy appears to look up to the other members of her family, especially her father as she takes after him. She describes herself and her father, “We flare up like the Midsummer Bonfire, lose our tempers and say things we should never say. Sometimes we don’t know what we’re going to do until we’ve done it. ” (Pg. 6) Sapphy also wants her whole family to get along and is troubled by the many fights between her parents. Even though everyone else believes her dad has died, she refuses to believe it. So, along with her brother, she promises to find him.
Conor – He is Sapphy’s older brother by two years and one of the major characters. He is very close to Sapphy and takes care of her. Conor takes after his mom in terms of his ability to be calm and sensible. Conor assures Sapphy that their dad is alive and that they will find him. Conor is a straightforward and honest boy, as supported by Sapphy’s description of him, “And I sometimes tell lies when I need to, which Conor never does. Conor tells you the truth straight out. You just have to get used to it.” (Pg. 6,7)
Mathew- He is the father of Sapphy and Conor and husband to Jennie. He loves his children very much. Mathew also has a strong attraction to the sea. He seems to have an unusual affinity for water, “he takes his boat out in most weathers and he can swim more than three miles.” (Pg. 5-6) Mathew has a conflict with his wife, Jennie, and constantly argues with her, especially on the topic of going out to sea. He then mysteriously disappears and his family assumes he has gone out to sea. However, when Mathew does not return home, Jennie presumes he has died at sea. But his children remain optimistic and are confident that he is alive.
Jennie- She is the mother of Sapphy and Conor. She is described as “calm and sensible and always do what they say they’re going to do”. (Pg. 6) Although Jennie constantly fights with Mathew, she loves him, as we can see from her grief when he disappears, “She stares straight ahead as the song swells louder. Her lips are pressed so tightly together that there’s no colour in them. If you didn’t know Mum was sad, you’d think she was furiously angry.” (Pg. 31) The writer hints that Jennie harbours a deep hatred of the sea, unlike the rest of her family, although the reason for her feelings is not yet revealed, ““You know why I won’t come,” says Mum, “I’ve got good reason to keep away from the sea.”” (Pg. 15)
Granny Carne- She is a mysterious and peculiar character but respected by everyone, “People fall back a little, to give her room, out of respect. Everyone shows respect to Granny Carne, as if she’s a queen.” (Pg. 26) Granny Carne is described as a “tall and strong and wild-looking” and “forbidding” person. (Pg. 26, 27) “Her face is deep brown from wind and sun, and her eyes are yellow amber, like an owl’s.” (Pg. 29) She is a good friend of Mathew who tells Sapphy to always be respectful towards Granny Carne. Mathew sees Granny Carne as a kind witch with “benign” magical powers. No one knows how old Granny Carne is as she has “always been as old as she is now.” (Pg. 28)
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